Science X Newsletter Monday, Apr 20

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Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for April 20, 2015:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- United States, China team explore energy harvesting
- Pulsing light may indicate supermassive black hole merger
- Best of Last Week – Dark matter maybe not so dark, chance of asteroid strike and statins increasing diabetes risk
- Drugs stimulate body's own stem cells to replace brain cells lost in multiple sclerosis
- Plausibility of the vibrational theory of smell
- Astronomers probe inner region of young star and its planets
- Cold cosmic mystery solved: Largest known structure in the universe leaves its imprint on CMB radiation
- OrangeSec pair said Cortana visited Android
- Sugary, shipwrecked champagne reveals history of 19th-century winemaking
- Quantum dot TVs are unveiled at China tech expo
- Necessity at the roots of innovation: The scramble for nutrients intensifies as soils age
- Chemists create modular system for placing proteins on membranes
- Vampire squid discovery shows how little we know of the deep sea
- Happily ever after: Scientists arrange protein-nanoparticle marriage
- Ocean currents impact methane consumption

Astronomy & Space news

	Cold cosmic mystery solved: Largest known structure in the universe leaves its imprint on CMB radiation In 2004, astronomers examining a map of the radiation leftover from the Big Bang (the cosmic microwave background, or CMB) discovered the Cold Spot, a larger-than-expected unusually cold area of the sky. The physics surrounding the Big Bang theory predicts warmer and cooler spots of various sizes in the infant universe, but a spot this large and this cold was unexpected.
	Astronomers probe inner region of young star and its planets Astronomers have probed deeper than before into a planetary system 130 light-years from Earth. The observations mark the first results of a new exoplanet survey called LEECH (LBT Exozodi Exoplanet Common Hunt), and are published today in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics.
	Pulsing light may indicate supermassive black hole merger As two galaxies enter the final stages of merging, scientists have theorized that the galaxies' supermassive black holes will form a "binary," or two black holes in such close orbit they are gravitationally bound to one another. In a new study, astronomers at the University of Maryland present direct evidence of a pulsing quasar, which may substantiate the existence of black hole binaries.
	Dawn glimpses Ceres' north pole After spending more than a month in orbit on the dark side of dwarf planet Ceres, NASA's Dawn spacecraft has captured several views of the sunlit north pole of this intriguing world. These images were taken on April 10 from a distance of 21,000 miles (33,000 kilometers), and they represent the highest-resolution views of Ceres to date.
	Mercury MESSENGER nears epic mission end A spacecraft that carries a sensor built at the University of Michigan is about to crash into the planet closest to the sun—just as NASA intended.
	Japan planning moon mission: space agency Japan plans to launch an unmanned mission to the moon as a stepping stone to a future visit to Mars, officials and local media said Monday.
	Cosmologically complicating dust The universe was created 13.7 billion years ago in a blaze of light: the big bang. Roughly 380,000 years later, after matter (mostly hydrogen) had cooled enough for neutral atoms to form, light was able to traverse space freely. That light, the cosmic microwave background radiation (CMBR), comes to us from every direction in the sky uniformly ... or so it first seemed. In the last decades, astronomers discovered that the radiation actually has very faint ripples and bumps in it at a level of brightness of only a part in one hundred thousand – the seeds for future structures, like galaxies.
	Curiosity rover making tracks and observations NASA's Curiosity Mars rover is continuing science observations while on the move this month. On April 16, the mission passed 10 kilometers (6.214 miles) of total driving since its 2012 landing, including about a fifth of a mile (310 meters) so far this month.
	Black hole hunters tackle a cosmic conundrum Dartmouth astrophysicists and their colleagues have not only proven that a supermassive black hole exists in a place where it isn't supposed to be, but in doing so have opened a new door to what things were like in the early universe.
	Large Mars crater named for late ASU professor Ronald Greeley Throughout his career Ronald Greeley was passionate about exploring Mars, so it's fitting that the late Arizona State University professor's name will grace maps of the Red Planet.
	Call to let the people decide new place names on Mercury and Pluto Do you think a place on Pluto should be named after the sinister tentacle-faced monster Cthulhu from the novels of horror writer H.P. Lovecraft? Or a crater on Mercury after iconic opera singer Dame Nellie Melba?
	Video reveals dramatic Spacex falcon rocket barge landing and launch A new high resolution video from SpaceX shows just how close the landing attempt of their Falcon 9 first stage on an ocean floating barge came to succeeding following the rockets launch on Tuesday afternoon, April 14, from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on a resupply run for NASA to the International Space Station (ISS).
	Image: Thor's Helmet nebula in the X-ray spectrum This brightly coloured scene shows a giant cloud of glowing gas and dust known as NGC 2359. This is also dubbed the Thor's Helmet nebula, due to the arching arms of gas stemming from the central bulge and curving towards the top left and right of the frame, creating a shape reminiscent of the Norse god's winged helmet.
	An interview with Italian Space Agency President Roberto Battiston Italy, one of the key players of the European Space Agency (ESA), is continuously building up its important role in human spaceflight and in international space cooperation. The country of seven astronauts is shaping the future of Europe's next generation launch vehicles and is actively taking part in ESA's space exploration projects. In an interview with astrowatch.net, Italian Space Agency (ASI) President Roberto Battiston, talks his presidency and Italy's contribution to spaceflight.

Technology news

	Quantum dot TVs are unveiled at China tech expo At this month's China Information Technology Expo (CITE) event, a headline-maker was the launch of quantum dot televisions, by QD Vision and Konka, the consumer electronics company. QD Vision's calling card in this instance is all about its Color IQ optics. Konka's claim to fame in this instance is as a manufacturer of HDTVs, currently reported to be holding a large share of the Chinese high-end television market. Konka picked CITE as the launch venue for its quantum dot TVs, which are based on QD Vision's Color IQ optics.
	OrangeSec pair said Cortana visited Android Can, did, Cortana work on Android? A talked-about act at droidcon 2015: a presentation titled "Cracking Cortana." The OrangeSec team arrived at the Turin, Italy, event to show their work in a CortanaProxy server for intercepting Cortana requests (Windows Phone 8.1). TechWorm on Saturday reported that the Italy-based hacker team said to have brought Microsoft's Cortana to Android. That's rather spectacular because Microsoft has not yet brought Cortana to Android. Microsoft is expected to do so some time later on.
	Germany still has some way to go to 'smart factories' Collaborative robots and intelligent machinery may have wowed the crowds at this year's Hannover Messe, but experts see German industry as having some way to go towards incorporating them on factory floors in what could become the fourth industrial revolution.
	Researcher denied flight after tweet poking United security United Airlines stopped a prominent security researcher from boarding a California-bound flight late Saturday, following a social media post by the researcher days earlier suggesting the airline's onboard systems could be hacked.
	Japan robot receptionist welcomes shoppers She can smile, she can sing and this robot receptionist who started work in Tokyo on Monday never gets bored of welcoming customers to her upmarket shop.
	Chipless tracker could transform barcode industry Barcodes on packaged goods could soon be a thing of the past with the rapid expansion of chipless tags, and Monash University researchers are at the forefront of developing this technology.
	Technology can transfer human emotions to your palm through air, say scientists Human emotion can be transferred by technology that stimulates different parts of the hand without making physical contact with your body, a University of Sussex-led study has shown.
	University group reveals geo-inference attack threat that uses browser cache to reveal user location A team of researchers at the National University of Singapore has published a paper on their university web site outlining what they describe as geo-inference attacks—where hackers can set up a website and then use cache information in a user's browser to reveal their geographical location.
	Beyond the touchscreen: Researchers develop acoustically driven controls for smartphones As people find ever more inventive uses for smartphones, touchscreens sometimes fall short as control surfaces. Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University and Disney Research have developed an inexpensive alternative - a toolbox of physical knobs, sliders and other mechanisms that can be readily added to any device.
	Innovation boosts Wi-Fi bandwidth tenfold Researchers at Oregon State University have invented a new technology that can increase the bandwidth of WiFi systems by 10 times, using LED lights to transmit information.
	New Google security chief looks for balance with privacy Google has a new sheriff keeping watch over the wilds of the Internet.
Samsung removes logo on smartphones in Japan Samsung has removed its corporate logo from its new smartphones sold in Japan, a company spokeswoman confirmed Saturday.
DOJ, FBI acknowledge flawed testimony from unit The Justice Department and FBI have formally acknowledged that nearly every examiner in the FBI Laboratory's microscopic hair comparison unit gave flawed testimony in almost all trials in which they offered evidence against criminal defendants over more than a two-decade period before 2000, The Washington Post reported.
	Tesla struggling to electrify China car market Serial entrepreneur Elon Musk has launched spacecraft into orbit, but popularising his Tesla electric cars in China is proving to be tougher than rocket science.
Switzerland to test drone postal deliveries Switzerland's postal service is to start testing deliveries by drone, a spokesman for Swiss Post said Sunday.
	Global, Chinese automakers debut new car models Ford showed off its new Taurus and Nissan unveiled a midsize sedan designed for China on Monday at a Shanghai Auto Show that highlighted the commercial resurgence of lower-priced Chinese auto brands.
	Drone used to drop beneficial bugs on corn crop University of Queensland agricultural science student Michael Godfrey has developed a drone that spreads beneficial insects onto crops, potentially saving farmers time and money.
	The potential for robots to perform human jobs Here's a game to play over dinner. One person names a profession that they believe can't be taken over by a machine, and another person has to make a case why it's not so future-proof. We played this game on an upcoming episode of SBS's Insight on the topic of the future of robots and artificial intelligence.
	We don't need digital detox, but there is a need to rethink our relationship with technology We all know the scare stories. Growing numbers of people are becoming addicted to the internet and constantly checking their digital gadgets. They are steadily disconnecting us from real life, real relationships and real meaning. To this supposed problem of digital dependence, an antidote has been emerging: the "digital detox" retreat. Companies are advertising technology-free resorts, holiday packages, city breaks and summer camps.
	Insects inspire next generation of hearing aids An insect-inspired microphone that can tackle the problem of locating sounds and eliminate background noise is set to revolutionize modern-day hearing aid systems.
	Raytheon buys cybersecurity firm in $1.9 bn deal US defense contractor Raytheon announced Monday it is investing $1.9 billion to create a cybersecurity firm to combat growing threats in the business sector.
	Mother of austistic child develops 'universal language' app The French mother of an autistic child has created what is believed to be the world's first smartphone application allowing people speaking different languages—or those incapable of speech at all—to communicate together, French company Sogeti said Monday.
	ESPN says Verizon's new FiOS TV packages violate agreements Breaking up the cable-TV bundle won't be easy. ESPN is objecting to how Verizon is giving its FiOS TV customers more choice. In new plans that went into effect Sunday, Verizon made the ESPN and ESPN2 sports channels optional, but ESPN says its contracts with Verizon prohibit the channels from being in a separate sports package.
	Musk approached Google on Tesla sale in 2013: book Technology billionaire Elon Musk pursued a sale of struggling electric-car company Tesla to Google in 2013, according to an excerpt of a book published Monday by Bloomberg News.
	Twitter expands privacy on direct messages Twitter said Monday it was making it easier to take direct messages private, carving out a bigger space for targeted exchanges on the popular microblogging service.
IBM earnings dip as sales fall again Technology heavyweight IBM reported Monday lower profits in the first quarter following another drop in revenues, this time partly due to the strong dollar.
Researcher studies the hacker mind Timothy Summers is providing a better understanding about how hackers think through his research and newly formed startup, Summers & Co., LLC, designed to improve cybersecurity.
	Automating logistics for the factory of the future Mass production and packaging in factories is already highly automated these days, but the same cannot be said for logistics. Movements of raw materials and finished products still depend heavily on manual labour. However, EU research on Automatic Guided Vehicles means this is about to change over the next decade – and could create thousands of new jobs.
	Developing a robotic therapist for children In collaboration with other national institutions, researchers at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) are designing a new therapeutic tool for motor rehabilitation for children. In this project, an interactive social therapist robot, which is totally autonomous, is able to perceive patients' reactions and determine if they are doing their exercises correctly.
	Pakistan cyber bill threatens free speech, privacy: rights groups International rights organisations including Human Rights Watch on Monday urged Pakistan's parliament to reject a proposed cybercrime bill which they said threatened freedom of expression and privacy.
	Team accelerates commercialization of foam forming technology Foam forming technology offers companies major cost saving possibilities in paper and paperboard manufacturing. It also expands the use of natural fibres in the production of recyclable and lightweight products. Some products can even be lightened by 15-25%. Together with an international industrial consortium, VTT has launched a EUR 3.6 million project to promote the commercialisation of the technology.
	EU gives green light for Hungarian nuclear deal with Russia Hungary said Monday that the EU's nuclear body Euratom has signed a fuel supply agreement, clearing the way for Russia to build the extension of the country's sole nuclear plant.

Medicine & Health news

	Drugs stimulate body's own stem cells to replace brain cells lost in multiple sclerosis A pair of topical medicines already alleviating skin conditions each may prove to have another, even more compelling use: instructing stem cells in the brain to reverse damage caused by multiple sclerosis.
Study reveals a cause of poorer outcomes for African-American patients with breast cancer Poorer outcomes for African-American women with estrogen-receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer, compared with European-American patients, appears to be due, in part, to a strong survival mechanism within the cancer cells, according to a study being presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2015.
	Genetic analysis says no such thing as 'pure autism' The search for genes that contribute to the risk for autism has made tremendous strides over the past 3 years. As this field has advanced, investigators have wondered whether the diversity of clinical features across patients with autism reflects heterogeneous sources of genetic risk.
	Mummified bodies from 18th century Europe found to have multiple tuberculosis infections Bodies found in a 200 year-old Hungarian crypt have revealed the secrets of how tuberculosis (TB) took hold in 18th century Europe, according to a research team involving UCL scientists.
	Overnight fasting may reduce breast cancer risk in women A decrease in the amount of time spent eating and an increase in overnight fasting reduces glucose levels and may reduce the risk of breast cancer among women, report University of California, San Diego School of Medicine researchers in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.
	Brain: A 'cingular' strategy for attack and defense Researchers at the RIKEN Brain Science Institute in Japan have pinpointed specific brain regions related to choosing strategies, specifically deciding to attack an opponent or defend one's position.
Childhood syndrome combining lung disease, arthritis is identified Using the latest genome sequencing techniques, a research team led by scientists from UC San Francisco (UCSF), Baylor College of Medicine, and Texas Children's Hospital has identified a new autoimmune syndrome characterized by a combination of severe lung disease and arthritis that currently has no therapy.
New pathway reveals how immune system is regulated, gives hope for chronic diseases Researchers from the University of Birmingham have identified an important new way in which our immune systems are regulated, and hope that understanding it will help tackle the debilitating effects of type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and other serious diseases.
	Pancreatic cancer loses viral defenses when talking with supporting cells Ottawa researchers have unlocked a way to make pancreatic cancer cells more vulnerable to cancer-killing viruses, known as oncolytic viruses. Outlined in a paper published today by Nature Medicine, the scientists have discovered how they can exploit the communication, or cross-talk, between pancreatic cancer and a specific cell type that supports the tumour. They found that this cross-talk weakens the ability of both cell types to fight off cancer-fighting viruses.
	Pancreatic cancer breakthrough: Scientists turn cancer cells into normal cells A new research study has shown that pancreatic cancer cells can be coaxed to revert back toward normal cells by introducing a protein called E47. E47 binds to specific DNA sequences and controls genes involved in growth and differentiation. The research provides hope for a new treatment approach for the more than 40,000 people who die from the disease each year in the United States.
	Noninvasive imaging of immune system detects tumors, could monitor therapeutic response A novel approach that allows real-time imaging of the immune system's response to the presence of tumors—without the need for blood draws or invasive biopsies—offers a potential breakthrough both in diagnostics and in the ability to monitor efficacy of cancer therapies.
	Cancer drug shows promise as cure for hepatitis B Australian scientists have found a potential cure for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections, with a promising new treatment proving 100 per cent successful in eliminating the infection in preclinical models.
	Study shows early environment has a lasting impact on stress response systems New University of Washington research finds that children's early environments have a lasting impact on their responses to stress later in life, and that the negative effects of deprived early environments can be mitigated—but only if that happens before age 2.
	Breast tumor stiffness and metastasis risk linked by molecule's movement Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and Moores Cancer Center have discovered a molecular mechanism that connects breast tissue stiffness to tumor metastasis and poor prognosis. The study, published April 20 in Nature Cell Biology, may inspire new approaches to predicting patient outcomes and halting tumor metastasis.
	Dietary supplements shown to increase cancer risk if taken in excess While dietary supplements may be advertised to promote health, a forum at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2015 by University of Colorado Cancer Center investigator Tim Byers, MD, MPH, describes research showing that over-the-counter supplements may actually increase cancer risk if taken in excess of the recommended daily amount.
New research shows how to tackle obesity One size does not fit all when it comes to tackling obesity, according to a new study by the University of Sheffield.
	Synthetic pot sends hundreds to ERs in past month (HealthDay)—In the past month, more than 300 people in Alabama and Mississippi have sought emergency care after using synthetic marijuana, according to health officials.
Studies: Merck drug Keytruda effective against 3 cancers One of the hot new cancer immunotherapy drugs, Merck & Co.'s Keytruda, strongly benefited patients with melanoma, lung cancer and mesothelioma, according to three studies presented Sunday at the American Association for Cancer Research conference in Philadelphia.
Australia to boost child vaccination with $20 mn package Australia Sunday unveiled a Aus$26 million (US$20 million) package to increase child vaccination rates, as it removed a religious exemption allowing parents unwilling to immunise their children to claim some government benefits.
Shared risk factors lead to diabetes, heart disease and cancer In a major symposium at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2015, University of Colorado Cancer Center investigator Tim Byers, MD, MPH, describes research showing the link between cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
	Disney Research creates method enabling dialogue replacement for automated video redubbing A badly dubbed foreign film makes a viewer yearn for subtitles; even subtle discrepancies between words spoken and facial motion are easy to detect. That's less likely with a method developed by Disney Research that analyzes an actor's speech motions to literally put new words in his mouth.
	Broccoli sprout extract promising for head and neck cancer prevention Broccoli sprout extract protects against oral cancer in mice and proved tolerable in a small group of healthy human volunteers, the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI), partner with UPMC CancerCenter, announced today at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting in Philadelphia.
	Gene signatures predict doxorubicin response in K9 osteosarcoma There are two chemotherapies commonly used to treat bone cancer in dogs: doxorubicin and carboplatin. Some dogs respond better to one drug than to the other. But until now, the choice has been left largely to chance. New work by University of Colorado Cancer Center members at Colorado State University Flint Animal Cancer Center presented today at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2015 demonstrates a gene expression model that predicts canine osteosarcoma response to doxorubicin, potentially allowing veterinary oncologists to better choose which drug to use with their patients. The approach is adopted from and further validates a model known as COXEN (CO-eXpression gEne aNalysis), developed at the CU Cancer Center by center director Dan Theodorescu, MD, PhD, which is currently in clinical trials to predict the response of human tumors to drugs.
New combo of immunotherapy drugs is safe, shrinks tumors in metastatic melanoma patients Once again, researchers at Penn's Abramson Cancer Center have extended the reach of the immune system in the fight against metastatic melanoma, this time by combining the checkpoint inhibitor tremelimumab with an anti-CD40 monoclonal antibody drug. The first-of-its-kind study found the dual treatments to be safe and elicit a clinical response in patients, according to new results from a phase I trial to be presented at the AACR Annual Meeting 2015 on Sunday, April 19.
Driver of non-small cell lung cancer, FGFR1, also in 23 percent of small cell lung cancer Significant new treatments are available or in clinical trials for non-small cell lung cancer. The same explosion in treatment options is not true for the disease's cousin, small cell lung cancer, the less common and more aggressive form of the disease. Results presented by the University of Colorado Cancer Center at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2015 show the presence of a known driver of non-small cell lung cancer in small cell lung cancer, implying that promising treatments in development for the first may be applicable to the second form of the disease as well.
Leading doctors warn that sepsis deaths will not be curbed without radical rethink of research strategy Leading doctors today [Monday 20 April, 2015] warn that medical and public recognition of sepsis—thought to contribute to between a third and a half of all hospital deaths—must improve if the number of deaths from this common and potentially life-threatening condition are to fall.
Animal study shows why long-time consumption of soyfoods reduces breast cancer recurrence Women diagnosed with breast cancer are often told not to eat soyfoods or soy-based supplements because they can interfere with anti-estrogen treatment. But new research being presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2015 could eventually impact that advice, because in animals, a long history of eating soyfoods boosts the immune response against breast tumors, reducing cancer recurrence.
Immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab shows promise for mesothelioma patients The PD-1 inhibitor pembrolizumab, a cancer immunotherapy drug, shrank or halted growth of tumors in 76 percent of patients with pleural mesothelioma, a rare and deadly form of cancer that arises in the outer lining of the lungs and internal chest wall, according to a new study from researchers in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Patients diagnosed with the disease, which is tied to exposure to asbestos, have a median survival rate of about one year.
New subsets of lung cancer with KRAS gene mutations identified Mutations of the KRAS gene are commonly known to lead to cancer. However, deeper understanding of exactly how they do this continues to be explored by cancer researchers.
Investigational personalized cellular therapy tolerated well by patients Genetically modified versions of patients' own immune cells successfully traveled to tumors they were designed to attack in an early-stage trial for mesothelioma and pancreatic and ovarian cancers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. The data adds to a growing body of research showing the promise of CAR T cell technology. The interim results will be presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2015, April 18-22.
Seeking new targets for ovarian cancer treatment Identifying molecular changes that occur in tissue after chemotherapy could be crucial in advancing treatments for ovarian cancer, according to research from Magee-Womens Research Institute and Foundation (MWRIF) and the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI), partner with UPMC CancerCenter, presented today at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2015.
	Aspirin may help ward off gastro cancers, study finds (HealthDay)—Taking aspirin regularly over several years may help prevent gastrointestinal cancers, a new study suggests.
	Drug shows early promise for advanced lung cancer (HealthDay)—A new drug that boosts the immune system's cancer-fighting potential is showing early promise for some patients with advanced lung cancer.
	Most Americans say medical marijuana shouldn't be used by kids or in front of kids Medical marijuana and children don't mix, most Americans say.
Falsified medicines taint global supply When you take a medication for, say, high cholesterol, do you know that pill is really what the label says it is? Depending upon the type of medicine and where you live, the threat of falsified medications (also referred to as counterfeit, fraudulent, and substandard) can be quite real, yet the full scope and prevalence of the problem is poorly understood, say researchers at University of California, San Diego School of Medicine in a new report published April 20 in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.
	Successful long-term learning happens after sleeping on the new material Researchers from Royal Holloway, University of London have found that successful long-term learning happens after classroom teaching, after the learners have slept on the new material.
	Pilot project aims to help heart-failure patients self-manage Earl Shook knew he was in trouble. He couldn't walk five feet without losing his breath and stopping to rest. He couldn't carry his dog's 35-pound bag of food without dropping it to the floor. And he couldn't cook for the Fifty Plus Club at the Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, where he worked.
Scientists detect lymphoma relapse by monitoring cell-free tumor DNA Circulating tumor DNA in the blood of patients treated for non-Hodgkin lymphoma can be used to identify those who are relapsing earlier, and with greater accuracy, than conventional monitoring, according to a study by researchers at the School of Medicine.
	The mystery of breast cancer For most of the common cancers, a major cause has been identified: smoking causes 90% of lung cancer worldwide, hepatitis viruses cause most liver cancer, H pylori bacteria causes stomach cancer, Human papillomavirus causes almost all cases of cervical cancer, colon cancer is largely explained by physical activity, diet and family history.
	Increase in e-cigarette use, decrease in smoking, is encouraging, expert says The increase in electronic cigarette use, coupled with a decrease in smoking, could be a positive sign for the prevention of cigarette use, said Lynn Kozlowski, University at Buffalo professor of community health and health behavior.
	How breast cancer cells avoid cell death Two new papers from the lab of Zach Schafer, Coleman Assistant Professor of Cancer Biology at the University of Notre Dame, offer insights into how breast cancer cells avoid anoikis, which is cell death induced by detachment from the extracellular matrix (ECM).
New T cell–based immunotherapy shows promise for lethal stem cell transplant complication More than 60 percent of patients with Epstein-Barr virus–associated lymphoproliferative disorder (EBV-LPD) that was not responding to standard rituximab (Rituxan) treatment responded to a new type of immunotherapy called Epstein-Barr virus–specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (EBV-CTL) therapy, according to data from two clinical trials presented at here the AACR Annual Meeting 2015, April 18-22.
"Liquid biopsy" may help earlier detection of lung cancer treatment resistance A blood test to regularly monitor for the presence of rearrangement of the EML4-ALK gene fusion in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) may help clinicians predict the outcome of treatment with crizotinib, according to research presented here at the AACR Annual Meeting 2015, April 18-22.
Humour persuades young males to slow down Graphic, strong threat or fear-based anti-speeding advertising campaigns are less likely to influence young males, a high-risk group over-represented in the nation's road toll, QUT research has found.
	Successfully managing fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis Fatigue is one of the most commonly reported and debilitating symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) and can significantly reduce an individual's quality of life. Unlike the tiredness that we all experience sometimes, fatigue in those with MS can have a hugely negative impact – it can limit or stop people from doing day-to-day activities and things that really matter to them. It is the main reason why people with MS stop working. Research undertaken at Bournemouth University (BU) has been tackling the challenge of managing fatigue in people with MS, with encouraging results.
	Dentist attention needed for geriatric patients Dental schools in Australia need to adjust their curriculum to better deal with tooth challenges for an ageing population, research says.
Walking on an incline could help people suffering from knee problems Incline walking on a treadmill could benefit people with knee osteoarthritis or knee replacements, says a new study from Ball State University.
Combining Chk1 inhibition with standard dose Gemcitabine may be safe and effective Adding the investigational agent GDC-0425, which blocks the function of a protein called checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1), to standard doses of the chemotherapy drug gemcitabine, was safe and yielded responses in patients with a variety of cancer types, including triple-negative breast cancer, melanoma, and cancer of unknown primary, according to data from a phase I clinical trial presented at the AACR Annual Meeting 2015, held April 18-22.
	Emotional problems in schoolgirls rose dramatically over past five years Emotional problems in girls aged 11-13 in England increased by 55% between 2009 and 2014, finds new research from UCL and the Anna Freud Centre. On average, this means that a mixed classroom of 30 children today is likely to contain one more girl with emotional difficulties than a comparable class 5 years ago.
	Researchers suggest ways to develop healthy eating habits in a child A healthy diet promotes success in life—better concentration and alertness, better physical health that translates into good mental and emotional health.
	Tumor genome sequencing shows the most frequently altered gene in bladder cancer In results presented today at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2015, a collaborative study by the University of Colorado Cancer Center and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) reports that the TERT gene promoter was altered in 69 percent of 54 cases of bladder cancer due to variants that occur after birth (called "somatic") and in 56 percent of bladder cancers due to inherited variants (called "germline"). The study shows these TERT alterations frequently co-occur with alterations in recently identified bladder cancer genes such as the stromal antigen 2 (STAG2), and the lysine-specific demethylase 6A (KDM6A).
A common nerve protein elevated in aggressive neuroblastomas A protein produced by nerve cells appears to be elevated in the blood of those with an aggressive form of neuroblastoma. The finding, presented today at the American Association for Cancer Research 2015 Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, could potentially lead to a prognostic test for the disease or be used to monitor its progress.
Scientists discover key factor in brain cancer resistance Researchers at the NFCR Center for Cancer System Informatics at MD Anderson Cancer Center have discovered a key factor that may explain drug resistance in glioblastoma (GBM), the most common and deadliest form of brain cancer.
Immune therapy tested in study of women with triple-negative breast cancer Early data in a preliminary human study show that an experimental immune system drug is generally safe and well tolerated in women with metastatic, triple-negative breast cancer, a persistently difficult form of the disease to treat.
Reduction in opioid prescribing, overdoses associated with pharma industry changes Results of a new study led by Boston Medical Center (BMC) researchers, in collaboration with Harvard Medical School (HMS), indicate that the introduction of abuse-deterrent OxyContin, coupled with the removal of propoxyphene from the US prescription marketplace, may have played a role in decreasing opioid prescribing and overdoses. The findings, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, showed that these two changes led to a 19 percent drop in prescription opioid supply that was mirrored by a 20 percent drop in prescription opioid overdose between August 2010 and December 2012. The drop in prescription opioid overdose was partially offset by an increase in overdose due to heroin, an illicit opioid.
	Two tested approaches to treating childhood obesity appear effective A MassGeneral Hospital for Children (MGHfC) study comparing two protocols for the treatment of childhood obesity finds that both were successful in limiting one-year weight gain in obese children. Both interventions, described in a paper published in the April 20 issue of JAMA Pediatrics, combine use of information technology to provide clinicians with the most up-to-date guidelines for the management of obesity in children with tools designed to help families manage behaviors related to obesity and fitness.
Fake malaria drugs not as common as previously reported A rigorous analysis of antimalarial drug quality conducted in Cambodia and Tanzania found no evidence of fake medicines, according to new research published in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.
Global pandemic of fake medicines poses urgent risk, scientists say Poor quality medicines are a real and urgent threat that could undermine decades of successful efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, according to the editors of a collection of journal articles published today. Scientists report up to 41 percent of specimens failed to meet quality standards in global studies of about 17,000 drug samples. Among the collection is an article describing the discovery of falsified and substandard malaria drugs that caused an estimated 122,350 deaths in African children in 2013. Other studies identified poor quality antibiotics, which may harm health and increase antimicrobial resistance. However, new methodologies are being developed to detect problem drugs at the point of purchase and show some promise, scientists say.
	Stanford, Harvard researchers to share $500K medical prize Two scientists whose work on modern research technologies is expected to speed the pace of medical discoveries will share one of the richest prizes in medicine and science next month, officials at a New York hospital said Monday.
	Throwing light on how to conduct a personalized pancreas cancer clinical trial After performing thousands of unsuccessful experiments in his attempt to perfect the light bulb, Thomas Edison famously remarked: "I have not failed, not once. I've discovered ten thousand ways that don't work."
	Cancer gene unintentionally ends the life of cancer cells, turns off life supporting genes Myc cancer gene empowers tumor cells to relentlessly divide but simultaneously, provokes a cell suicide process called apoptosis. Myc controls cells by commanding the expression of every tenth of the genes in the nucleus of a tumor cell. However, in spite of more than two decades of intense research, no Myc motivated killer genes have been found. A team of researchers from the University of Wurzburg, Germany, and the University of Helsinki, Finland, discovered that searching Myc motivated killer genes is akin to barking up the wrong tree. The new findings suggest that Myc makes cancer cells vulnerable to cell death by repressing well-being genes, which are essential for maintaining the life of the cells.
	Pill-taking can be less yucky for kids, study review finds Many sick kids can't or won't swallow pills—and that can make them sicker. But there may be some pretty simple ways to help the medicine go down, a new study says.
New study suggests ways to avoid catching diseases from pets As new medical diagnostics become available, researchers are increasingly discovering situations in which pets can transmit diseases to humans—especially when an owner's immune system is compromised.
	Reducing global tobacco use Although global efforts to cut tobacco use have had some success, more can be done to reduce the number of deaths from smoking, according to a commentary published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
	New drug combination shows promise for breaking breast cancer resistance Researchers from The University of Manchester working with drug development company Evgen Pharma, have developed a new combination of drugs which could overcome treatment resistance and relapse in breast cancer.
Oral milk thistle extract stops colorectal cancer stem cells from growing tumors In results presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2015, a University of Colorado Cancer Center study shows that orally administering the chemical silibinin, purified from milk thistle, slows the ability of colorectal cancer stem cells to grow the disease. When stem cells from tumors grown in silibinin-fed conditions were re-injected into new models, the cells failed to develop equally aggressive tumors even in the absence of silibinin.
Two different carotid artery stenting procedures show little difference in effectiveness Use of either proximal embolic protection devices (P-EPDs) or distal filter embolic protection devices (F-EPDs) during elective carotid artery stenting results in low rates of in-hospital stroke and death, according to a new study from researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. The study, published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions, found that although P-EPDs have been theorized to be more effective than F-EPDs at preventing stroke during carotid artery stenting, this first comparative effectiveness study revealed no statistically significant difference between the two devices.
Study re-examines sports restrictions for children with heart rhythm disorder Sports participation may be safer than previously thought for children with the heart rhythm disorder long QT syndrome, and authors of a new study in JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology say restrictions should be eased to allow appropriately treated children with the condition to participate more in recreational and competitive sports.
	Atrial fibrillation recurrence lower with sleep apnea treatment The use of continuous positive airway pressure was associated with a significant reduction in the recurrence of atrial fibrillation in patients with obstructive sleep apnea, according to an analysis of data from past research published today in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Clinical Electrophysiology.
Higher-than-expected pediatric cancer rates identified in two Florida areas Higher-than-expected rates of pediatric cancers have been identified in the Miami metro area and an area west of the Everglades in a series of five statistical analyses conducted for Science and Public Policy, an open-access, online public-policy journal published by the American Statistical Association (ASA).
	New research gives clues as to why older people get more tendon injuries Researchers from Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), University of East Anglia, University College London and University of Liverpool, repeatedly stretched samples of horse tendons, which are very similar to human ones, to test their elasticity and ability to recover.
	Adjuvant Ipilimumab effects survival after high risk lymph node and melanoma resection Results of an EORTC trial appearing in The Lancet Oncology show that adjuvant Ipilimumab significantly improves recurrence-free survival in patients with completely resected stage III melanoma at high risk of disease recurrence, but that this treatment was also associated with a high rate of immune-related adverse events.
	Cancer-inflammation 'vicious cycle' detailed in new study New findings hidden within the complex machinery behind the vicious cycle of chronic inflammation and cancer are presented today by researchers from the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, partner with UPMC Cancer Center, at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting in Philadelphia.
Use of radiotherapy after prostate cancer surgery declining, despite evidence of benefit Despite strong evidence and guidelines supporting its use, post-surgical radiation therapy for prostate cancer patients at risk of recurrence is declining in the United States. The study, published online in the journal European Urology, finds fewer than 10 percent of patients at risk of recurrence received postoperative radiotherapy within six months of surgery in the U.S.
	Study suggests new drug strategy for insulin-influenced tumor growth Drugs that target insulin pathways to slow or stop the growth of brain tumors are going in the right direction but appear to be on the wrong track, according to new research at Rice University.
Decreased red blood cell clearance predicts development and worsening of serious diseases Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) investigators have found the probable mechanism underlying a previously described biomarker associated with the risk of developing serious diseases ranging from cancer to cardiovascular disease and the risk of serious complications. In a paper published in the American Journal of Hematology, the research team reports finding that higher levels of a measure routinely taken as part of the complete blood count - the extent of variation in the size of red blood cells - is caused by reduced clearance of aging cells from the bloodstream. Hundreds of studies since 2007 have found that elevations in this measure - called RDW for RBC (red blood cell) distribution width - predicted the development, progression and risk of death from many conditions.
Long non-coding RNA modulates colorectal cancer metabolism Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) are unusual in that they don't encode proteins like normal RNA. Yet they do play a role in regulating cellular functions and interest cancer researchers.
	DNA abnormalities found in children with chronic kidney disease A significant proportion of children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have unsuspected chromosomal imbalances, including DNA anomalies that have been linked to neurocognitive disorders, according to a new Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) study. The findings suggest that routine genetic screening of children with CKD could lead to earlier and more precise diagnoses, as well as to more personalized monitoring, prevention, and treatment. Details of the study were published today in the online issue of the Journal of Clinical investigation.
Guideline advises when to treat a first seizure A new guideline released today by the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) and the American Epilepsy Society (AES) found that administering an antiepileptic medication immediately after a first seizure reduces the risk of having another seizure within two years. The guideline, authored by Allan Krumholz, MD, a professor of neurology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and physician at the Maryland Epilepsy Center at the University of Maryland Medical Center, is the first to address treatment of a first seizure in adults. A previous guideline—also authored by Dr. Krumholz—addresses how to evaluate a first seizure in adults.
Middle-aged congenital heart disease survivors may need special care For the first time, the American Heart Association has issued recommendations for healthcare providers treating people older than 40 with congenital heart disease.
	Cancer diagnosis leads to higher quit rates among smokers The largest study of its kind to date finds smokers diagnosed with cancer were more likely to quit than other smokers, supporting the hypothesis that a cancer diagnosis is a "teachable moment" that can be used to promote cessation. The study by American Cancer Society researchers appears early online in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
	Study seeks earlier ovarian cancer detection Successful ovarian cancer treatment often relies on catching it early. A study at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center may help point to a new method for women at risk.
	Statin use in elderly would prevent disease but could carry considerable side effects A new study by UC San Francisco has found that statins can help prevent disease in older adults but must be weighed against potentially serious side effects.
South-Asian women more likely to be diagnosed with later stage breast cancer: Study South Asian women are more likely to be diagnosed with later stage breast cancer compared to the general population, while Chinese women are more likely to be diagnosed with early stage cancer, according to a new study by Women's College Hospital and the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES).
One test for all infections If you're returning from abroad with a fever, your doctor will likely test you for malaria. You'll give multiple blood samples at the lab, and if the results are inconclusive, you'll face yet another round of tests.
Changes in cancer epigenome implicated in chemotherapy resistance and lymphoma relapse Genomic studies have illuminated the ways in which malfunctioning genes can drive cancer growth while stunting the therapeutic effects of chemotherapy and other treatments. But new findings from Weill Cornell Medical College investigators indicate that these genes are only partly to blame for why treatment that was at one point effective ultimately fails for about 40 percent of patients diagnosed with the most common form of non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.
Extending natalizumab up to 8 weeks shown safe and effective in patients with MS In a study of 1,964 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) led by researchers at the NYU Langone Multiple Sclerosis Comprehensive Care Center, extending the dose of natalizumab from 4 weeks up to 8 weeks was shown to be well-tolerated and effective in patients, and resulted in no cases of the potentially fatal side effect progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML).
PTSD common in ICU survivors Post-traumatic stress disorder is often thought of as a symptom of warfare, major catastrophes and assault. It's rarely considered in patients who survive a critical illness and stay in the intensive care unit (ICU). However, in a recent Johns Hopkins study, researchers found that nearly one-quarter of ICU survivors suffer from PTSD. They also identified possible triggers for PTSD and indicated a potential preventive strategy: having patients keep ICU diaries. The findings will be published in the May issue of Critical Care Medicine.
	In utero exposure to extreme morning sickness may cause developmental deficits in children Women who experience extreme morning sickness during pregnancy are three times more likely to have children with developmental issues, including attention disorders and language and speech delays, than woman who have normal nausea and vomiting, a UCLA study has found.
	Black women more likely to have dense breast tissue, study shows (HealthDay)—New research finds that black women are more likely than white women to have dense breasts, potentially boosting their breast cancer risk.
	FDA warns of bogus botox (HealthDay)—Counterfeit Botox may have been distributed to doctors' offices and medical clinics across the United States, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns.
	Antibiotics may be overused in many neonatal ICUs, study finds (HealthDay)—Antibiotics appear to be overused in many neonatal intensive care units, new research suggests.
	Age, creatinine, ejection fraction predict post-MI survival (HealthDay)—A simple age, creatinine, and ejection fraction (ACEF) score can predict one-year mortality risk in myocardial infarction 30-day survivors who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention, according to a study published in the May 1 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
	Attending physicians, residents similar in opioid Rx monitoring (HealthDay)—Both residents and attending physicians are only partly compliant with national opioid prescribing and monitoring guidelines, according to a study published in the March issue of Pain Medicine.
	HLA expression tied to penile cancer outcomes (HealthDay)—Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) expression appears to be tied to clinical outcomes in penile cancer, according to a study published in the April issue of The Journal of Urology.
	Antibiotic-glucocorticoid eardrops found superior in acute otorrhea (HealthDay)—For children with tympanostomy tubes who develop otorrhea, antibiotic-glucocorticoid eardrops are clinically superior and cost less than oral antibiotics or initial observation, according to a study published online April 20 in Pediatrics.
	New signaling pathway discovered in HER2-positive breast cancer, and two powerful drug targets One of the most promising ideas in cancer treatment is to apply a lesson learned in the fight against AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome): simultaneously attacking a pathological process at different points of weakness can, in some cases, deal a knock-out blow. Just as the so-called AIDS "cocktail" directs multiple agents against multiple targets, so too might future anti-cancer cocktails be directed at multiple, highly specific targets in known cancer pathways. One key in cancer is knowing precisely which targets to hit, in which combinations, for the illness takes many different forms and works through a stunning variety of biological mechanisms.
	New study unravels why common blood pressure medicine can fail Every year, more than 120 million prescriptions are written worldwide for thiazide drugs, a group of salt-lowering medicines used to treat high blood pressure. These drugs are often work very well, and over decades have saved hundreds of thousands of lives.
Researchers detecting low quality antimalarial drugs with a lab-on-paper Access to high-quality medicine is a basic human right, but over four billion people live in countries where many medications are substandard or fake. Marya Lieberman of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Notre Dame and Abigail Weaver a postdoctoral associate in the University's Department of Civil Engineering and Environmental and Earth Sciences took up the challenge of how people in developing countries could detect low quality antimalarial drugs without expensive equipment and without handling dangerous chemicals.
UK doctors unlikely to be able to repay student loans UK doctors are unlikely to be able to repay their student loans over the course of their working lives, amassing debts of more than £80,000 by the time they graduate, in some cases, finds research published in the online journal BMJ Open.
	Living life in the third person Imagine living a healthy, normal life without the ability to re-experience in your mind personal events from your past. You have learned details about past episodes from your life and can recite these to family and friends, but you can't mentally travel back in time to imagine yourself in any of them.
Study points to potential new lung cancer therapy New findings about regulation of PD-L1, a protein that allows cancer to evade the immune system, has shown therapeutic promise for several cancers, including the most common form of lung cancer.
Study shows new technology may improve management of leading causes of blindness Research published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) demonstrates that technology invented by researchers at Oregon Health & Science University's Casey Eye Institute can improve the clinical management of the leading causes of blindness. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography could largely replace current dye-based angiography in the management of these diseases.
A bad buzz: Men with HIV need fewer drinks to feel effects Researchers at Yale and the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System compared the number of drinks that men with HIV infection, versus those without it, needed to get a buzz. They found that HIV-infected men were more sensitive to the effects of alcohol than uninfected men.
	New breast cancer screening analysis confirms biennial interval optimal for average risk women Results from a second comprehensive analysis of mammography screening, this time using data from digital mammography, confirms findings from a 2009 analysis of film mammography: biennial (every two years) screening offers a favorable balance of benefits to harm for women ages 50 to 74 who have an average risk of developing breast cancer.
'Mysterious' disease kills 18 in Nigeria: official A "mysterious" disease that kills patients within 24 hours has claimed at least 18 lives in a southeastern Nigerian town, the government said Saturday.
India's bidi workers suffer for 1,000-a-day habit Zainab Begum Alvi and her band of young helpers hunch over baskets filled with tobacco flakes and dried leaves, trying to roll a thousand dirt-cheap cigarettes a day at the behest of India's powerful bidi barons.
Sperm bank sued after donor details emerge 7 years later He was good on paper: Eloquent, mature, healthy and smart to boot.
Weedkiller likely cause of Nigeria 'mystery disease': WHO Pesticide poisoning was the likely cause of the mysterious deaths of at least 18 people in a southwestern Nigerian town earlier this week, the World Health Organization said Sunday.
	Canada quarantines chicken farm infected with bird flu Canadian health officials have quarantined another poultry farm found to be infected with bird flu, authorities said.
Getting foster youth through college will take structured support, study concludes The college graduation rate for students who have lived in foster care is 3 percent, among the lowest of any demographic group in the country. And this rate is unlikely to improve unless community colleges institute formal programs to assist foster youth both financially and academically, concludes a new study by researchers at University of the Pacific.
Local gin suspected of causing 18 mystery Nigeria deaths (Update) Ethanol poisoning from a locally brewed gin may have been responsible for the sudden death of 18 people last week, Nigerian health authorities said Monday.
LGBT-competent physicians are scarce at US academic medical practices, study finds Research has shown that, for a number of reasons, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are significantly more likely than heterosexuals to avoid or delay medical care.
Online program to combat OCD Adolescents will be able to use the internet to treat their Obsessive Compulsive Disorder thanks to a free initiative being run by The University of Queensland.
	Paper demonstrates benefits of stenting for stroke A New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) paper published today and co-authored by University at Buffalo neurosurgeons reports that stroke patients have a much better chance of surviving and returning to normal function when they receive clot-busting drugs in conjunction with a wire mesh stent device, than when they receive the medications alone.
New immunotherapy yields long-lasting responses in some patients with advanced melanoma A first-in-class immunotherapy called IMCgp100 yielded durable responses in patients with advanced cutaneous melanoma and those with advanced ocular melanoma, according to data from a phase I/IIa clinical trial presented here at the AACR Annual Meeting 2015, April 18-22.
	Big data opens up vast frontiers in genetic research Professor Ryan Lister from University of Western Australia is using big data to examine DNA in new ways that could greatly increase the understanding of the human body and improve agricultural techniques.
	CANCER-ID should lead to faster and easier analysis of tumors The analysis of the development of tumors should be easier and faster. That is the aim of the extensive European CANCER-ID project, in which the University of Twente is participating as one of the lead partners. Professor Leon Terstappen, head of the Department of Medical Cell Biophysics at the University of Twente, together with Professor Klaus Pantel from the Hamburg-Eppendorf University Medical Center, form the scientific management of the project, with participation from no less than 33 partners from 13 countries.
	'Spectral histopathology' facilitates prognosis regarding tumour aggressiveness A new diagnostic method, namely spectral histopathology, facilitates marker-free detection of individual subtypes of lung cancers. It was developed by researchers at the PURE consortium at Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB). They have successfully applied it in collaboration with clinicians at the Ruhrlandklinik in Essen. It is an automatable imaging process which, by classifying specific forms of lung cancer, facilitates a prognosis regarding a tumour's aggressiveness. The team, headed by RUB Prof Dr Klaus Gerwert, compares the results of traditional diagnostic procedures with those of spectral histopathology in the journal Analyst.
Is the amyloid hypothesis the right path to find a treatment for Alzheimer's disease? There is both risk and reward in focusing Alzheimer's disease research on inhibiting amyloid production, according to a new article in Future Science OA. The article reviews the significant body of research proposing that the accumulation of beta amyloid in the brain is the Alzheimer's disease trigger that must be inhibited. Future Science OA is an online, open access, peer-reviewed title from Future Science Group.
3-T MRI advancing on ultrasound for imaging fetal abnormalities Although ultrasound remains the primary imaging modality used in prenatal imaging, fetal MRI is playing an increasing role in further evaluation of fetuses suspected of congenital anomalies. As 3-T MRI scanners become more common due to their improved image signal-to-noise ratio and anatomical detail, the benefits of 3-T MRI must be weighed against potential risks to the fetus that may result from the higher field strength.
Advanced techniques improve success rate of IVC filter removal to more than 98 percent The design of inferior vena cava (IVC) filters for pulmonary embolism prophylaxis, once used almost exclusively for permanent implantation, has progressed to retrievable designs. However, complications can create scenarios in which the routine filter retrieval is either extremely difficult or impossible.
Ultrasound/MRI fusion biopsy detects more sonographically occult prostate cancers Research conducted at the State University of New York Upstate Medical University has found that multiparametric MRI and subsequent fusion of MR images with ultrasound enables a targeted biopsy of high-suspicion foci with increased diagnostic accuracy of prostate cancer over established methods.
Thin-cut coronary calcium quantification: Advantages compared with standard 3 mm slices Research comparing the accuracy of three MDCT slice thicknesses has found that 3-mm slices underestimated coronary artery calcium (CAC) scores at every level of calcification. The inaccuracies were caused by partial volume averaging errors.
Dual-energy CT imaging improves pancreatic cancer assessment Dual-energy CT (DECT) has several potential applications in the detection, characterization, staging, and follow-up of pancreatic cancer patients, according to a new study conducted at Johns Hopkins University.
Computational fluid dynamics in coronary plaques predict coronary artery disease Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation based on 3D luminal reconstructions of the coronary artery tree can be used to analyze local flow fields and flow profiling resulting from changes in coronary artery geometry. Research conducted at Curtin University in Perth, Australia, used the technique to identify risk factors for development and progression of coronary artery disease.
New quality improvement system significantly reduces CT misadministration A protocol developed by radiologists at the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center reduced CT misadministration at the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center from 18 instances in 60,999 studies to zero in 36,608 in just 10 months. Misadministration includes, but is not limited to, imaging the wrong patient or body part without a physician's order or repeated imaging of a patient without a physician's order.
	Parent satisfaction with clinical trial on treating aggressive behavioral disorders A new study of families participating in a clinical trial to treat children with severe physical aggression explored the factors affecting parent satisfaction with the research study. Parents' overall satisfaction with the clinical trial experience and the relationship between the parent satisfaction and their child's treatment group or response to therapy are reported in an article in Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology (JCAP).
	Belly fat chatter may be what's raising your blood pressure Michigan State University researchers, who were the first to suggest that high blood pressure could be caused by belly fat hormones "talking" with blood vessels in the abdomen, have received a nearly $7 million National Institutes of Health grant to further their work.
Indiana governor extends needle-exchange program to curb HIV Indiana Gov. Mike Pence has extended a needle-exchange program in a southern Indiana county to help combat an HIV outbreak.
Cardinal Health paying $26.8 million in FTC settlement Cardinal Health will pay $26.8 million as part of a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission over charges it monopolized the sale in 25 markets of diagnostic drugs known as low-energy radiopharmaceuticals.
What's the life expectancy of patients when they begin treatment for osteoporosis? Despite reports that people with osteoporosis have an increased risk of dying prematurely, a new study has found that life expectancy of newly diagnosed and treated osteoporosis patients is in excess of 15 years in women below the age of 75 and in men below the age of 60.
	Smoking may affect some women's likelihood of giving birth to twins A new study provides a possible explanation of reports that mothers of twins are more likely to have smoked, despite evidence that nicotine reduces fertility.
Addressing the needs of young women with disorders of sex development Disorders of sex development are lifelong conditions that are usually diagnosed at birth or during adolescence. In a recent study of 13 teenaged girls with disorders of sex development, the girls were guarded and reticent about sharing personal information about their disorder during adolescence, but some of them learned to engage in conversations with more confidence as they moved towards adulthood.
Interventions developed at Johns Hopkins reduce bloodstream infections in Abu Dhabi A bundled intervention focused on evidence-based infection prevention practices, safety culture and teamwork, and scheduled measurement of infection rates considerably reduced central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) across intensive care units (ICUs) in seven Abu Dhabi hospitals, researchers from the Johns Hopkins Armstrong Institute for Patient Safety and Quality report.
Providing universal donor plasma to massively bleeding trauma patients A recent randomized trial that looked at the feasibility of 2013 guidelines issued by the American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Project for trauma resuscitation found that delivering universal donor plasma to massively hemorrhaging patients can be accomplished consistently and rapidly and without excessive wastage in high volume trauma centers. The plasma is given in addition to red blood cell transfusions to optimize treatment.
Study sheds new light on a crucial enzyme for the immune response A new study by immunology researchers at the IRCM led by Javier M. Di Noia, PhD, sheds light on a mechanism affecting AID, a crucial enzyme for the immune response. The scientific breakthrough, published in the latest issue of The Journal of Experimental Medicine, could eventually improve the way we treat the common flu, as well as lymphoma and leukemia.
	US breast cancer cases could rise 50 percent by 2030 (HealthDay)—The number of U.S. women diagnosed with breast cancer could rise by as much as 50 percent within the next 15 years, according to new government predictions.
Task force: Mammograms in 40s a choice, but don't skip at 50 A government task force says women should get a mammogram every two years starting at age 50—but starting in their 40s should be a personal choice.
Bird flu confirmed at Iowa farm with 5.3 million chickens The U.S. Department of Agriculture says the bird flu virus has been found at a farm holding nearly 10 percent of Iowa's egg-laying chickens.

Biology news

	Key element in bacterial immune system discovered A University of Otago scientist is a member of an international research team that has made an important discovery about the workings of a bacterial immune system. The finding could lead to the development of tailor-made RNA-editing tools.
	Big surprises underground for plant scientists The kwongan eco-region in WA's south-west has revealed some amazing plant kingdom secrets to University of Montreal and University of Western Australia scientists.
	Big butts aren't everything to male baboons While the female baboon's big red bottom may be an eyesore to some, it has an aphrodisiac effect on her mates. Biologists have long thought that baboon males prefer females with bigger backsides as the mark of a good mother, but new research suggests it isn't so simple.
	Genetic road map may bring about better cotton crops A University of Texas at Austin scientist, working with an international research team, has developed the most precise sequence map yet of U.S. cotton and will soon create an even more detailed map for navigating the complex cotton genome. The finding may help lead to an inexpensive version of American cotton that rivals the quality of luxurious Egyptian cotton and helps develop crops that use less water and fewer pesticides for a cotton that is easier on the skin and easier on the land.
	The overlooked third man The horticulturist who came up with the concept of 'evolution by natural selection' 27 years before Charles Darwin did should be more widely acknowledged for his contribution, states a new paper by a King's College London geneticist.
	Researchers produce first atlas of airborne microbes across United States A University of Colorado Boulder and North Carolina State University-led team has produced the first atlas of airborne microbes across the continental U.S., a feat that has implications for better understanding health and disease in humans, animals and crops.
	Scientists describe protein pumps that allow bacteria to resist drugs Research teams led by Edward Yu of Iowa State University and the Ames Laboratory have described the structures of two proteins they believe pump antibiotics from bacteria, allowing the bacteria to resist medications.
Vampire squid discovery shows how little we know of the deep sea Among soft-bodied cephalopods, vampire squid live life at a slower pace. At ocean depths from 500 to 3,000 meters, they don't swim so much as float, and they get by with little oxygen while consuming a low-calorie diet of zooplankton and detritus. Now, researchers reporting in the Cell Press journal Current Biology on April 20 have found that vampire squid differ from all other living coleoid cephalopods in their reproductive strategy as well.
	Decreasing biodiversity affects productivity of remaining plants When plant biodiversity declines, the remaining plants face diminishing productivity, say scientists in study published April 20 in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
New England Aquarium offering penguins 'honeymoon suites' The New England Aquarium wants its endangered African penguins to get a little steamy.
Fish detection system for toxins wins Chinese company invention award A method for detecting toxins through the reactions of fish embryos has won Chinese company Vitargent International a top prize for inventions, organisers said Friday.
	Kids of Cold War crocs going to Cuba on conservation mission Cuba's efforts to sustain the critically endangered Cuban crocodile are getting a boost from Sweden, home to a pair of reptiles that Fidel Castro gave to a Soviet cosmonaut four decades ago.
	How smart roads can help koalas beat traffic Australian cities can keep their precious koalas from ending up as road kill – if they plan their roads properly, environmental scientists say.
	Vascular cells can fuse with themselves Cells of the vascular system of vertebrates can fuse with themselves. This process, which occurs when a blood vessel is no longer necessary and pruned, has now been described on the cellular level by Prof. Markus Affolter from the Biozentrum of the University of Basel. The findings of this study have been published in the journal PLoS Biology.
	Carnabys adjust to foreign plants for feeding and shelter A study tracking the movements of WA's endangered Carnaby's black-cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus latirostris) has discovered that not only will the birds adapt to urban environments but they also use non-native vegetation for feeding and roosting.
	Climate change threatens more than two-thirds of rabbit species Climate change will have major effects on the ecology and distribution of many animal species. Now new research suggests that rabbits will be particularly hard hit as climatic changes alter their habitat over the coming decades.
	Down to three wolves on Isle Royale Only three wolves seem to remain in Isle Royale National Park. Researchers from Michigan Technological University observed the wolves during their annual Winter Study, and the lone group, at an unprecedented low, is a sharp decline from nine wolves observed last winter.
	Agency proposes lifting protections for most humpback whales The federal government on Monday proposed removing most of the world's humpback whales from the endangered species list, saying the massive mammals have rebounded after 45 years of protections.
	Researchers identify genetic regulatory networks that influence poplar wood formation To begin to understand the complex genetic interactions that control poplar growth, a potential bioenergy crop, researchers developed a robust high-throughput pipeline for studying the hierarchy of genetic regulation of wood formation using tissue-specific single cells known as protoplasts.
Dolphins from Southern European waters accumulate pollutants in their bodies A study published in Environmental Pollution magazine shows that three dolphin species from the Strait of Gibraltar and the Gulf of Cadiz accumulate flame retardant pollutants in their bodies, including the classical PBDEs, which are already prohibited, and the alternative flame retardant called dechloranes.
	A new perspective on veterinary trauma cases in Ooty, India Rob Pettitt is an orthopaedic specialist at the University of Liverpool's Small Animal Teaching Hospital (SATH).
	Thai customs seize African elephant tusks worth $6 mn Four tonnes of African elephant ivory worth $6 million has been seized at a Bangkok port in a container labelled as beans, Thai customs said Monday, in the kingdom's largest-ever haul of its kind.
Research highlights the importance of 'self-DNA' for maintaining diversity among species In natural plant communities, diversity is maintained by limits set on each plant by itself. This involves a detrimental effect of self-DNA (DNA from the same species released during decomposition) on the plant's and its offspring's growth. New research finds that this process not only regulates plant populations but may also be generalized to a range of additional organisms including algae, protozoa, fungi, and animals.

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