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Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for June 10, 2015:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Physicists demonstrate new violations of local realism
- Blood test for cancer biomarkers using an electrochemical clamp assay
- New technique for using sugarcane to make jet fuel cuts greenhouse gas emissions
- At near absolute zero, molecules may start to exhibit exotic states of matter
- Ice sheet collapse triggered ancient sea level peak
- All change for bacterial outer membrane proteins
- Chandra finds evidence for serial black hole eruptions
- Single protein causes Parkinson's disease and multiple system atrophy
- The price of a happy ending can be bad decision-making, say researchers
- Finding hope in the dark
- Engineers create origami battery
- When modern Eurasia was born
- Ice age camel bones found in Yukon redraw species' lineage
- Some heartburn drugs may boost risk of heart attack, study finds
- First functional, synthetic immune organ with controllable antibodies created

Astronomy & Space news

	Spacecraft glitch shifts orbiting ISS The orbiting International Space Station has shifted in position after an engine glitch on a docked spacecraft which is due to bring astronauts back to Earth this week, Russia said.
	LightSail's solar sails look good in latest deployment The Planetary Society solar sail exploration called LightSail is looking good. The concept—a spacecraft designed to propel through space on beams of sunlight— pushed through by nothing but the pressure of sunlight—is making news this week with reports of a successful solar sail deployment. This is a test mission serving as a precursor to the 2016 mission. In measuring mission success, observers were looking to the deployment of LightSail's Mylar solar sails.
	A celestial butterfly emerges from its dusty cocoon Some of the sharpest images ever made with ESO's Very Large Telescope have, for the first time, revealed what appears to be an ageing star giving birth to a butterfly-like planetary nebula. These observations of the red giant star L2 Puppis, from the ZIMPOL mode of the newly installed SPHERE instrument, also clearly showed a close stellar companion. The dying stages of stars continue to pose astronomers with many riddles, and the origin of such bipolar nebulae, with their complex and alluring hourglass figures, doubly so.
	Lost in space: New Hubble image of galaxy NGC 6503 Although the Universe may seem spacious most galaxies are clumped together in groups or clusters and a neighbour is never far away. But this galaxy, known as NGC 6503, has found itself in a lonely position, shown here at the edge of a strangely empty patch of space called the Local Void. This new NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image shows a very rich set of colours, adding to the detail seen in previous images.
	Chandra finds evidence for serial black hole eruptions Astronomers have used NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory to show that multiple eruptions from a supermassive black hole over 50 million years have rearranged the cosmic landscape at the center of a group of galaxies.
	Sentinel-2A sealed from view As preparations for the launch of Sentinel-2A continue on track, the team at Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana has said farewell to the satellite as it was sealed from view in the Vega rocket fairing. Liftoff is set for 23 June at 01:52 GMT (03:52 CEST; 22:52 local time on 22 June).
	Image: Tethys the target Like most moons in the solar system, Saturn's moon Tethys is covered by impact craters. Some craters bear witness to incredibly violent events, such as the crater Odysseus (seen here at the right of the image).
	The moons of Jupiter Jupiter was appropriately named by the Romans, who chose to name it after the king of the gods. In addition to being the largest planet in our Solar System – with two and a half times the mass of all the other planets combined – it also has the most moons of any Solar planet. So far, 67 natural satellites have been discovered around the gas giant, and more could be on the way.
	Is NGC 2419 a wayward globular or the Milky Way's own? Turns out, we may not know our extragalactic neighbors as well as we thought.
	Work-experience schoolboy discovers a new planet A 15-yr-old schoolboy has discovered a new planet orbiting a star 1000 light years away in our galaxy. Tom Wagg was doing work-experience at Keele University when he spotted the planet by finding a tiny dip in the light of a star as a planet passed in front of it.
	ALMA uses gravitational lens to image monstrous galaxy near the edge of the universe For centuries cartographers were fond of depicting monsters along the edges of their maps. Now, researchers have depicted a monstrous galaxy near the edge of the charted Universe with unprecedented detail using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) with the assistance of a 'natural telescope' known as a gravitational lens. The team modeled the lensing effects and corrected for them to reveal the distribution of huge stellar cradles in the monstrous galaxy. As a bonus, the same model indicates, for the first time, the existence of a supermassive black hole at the center of the foreground galaxy.

Technology news

	Review: The best new features coming from Apple, Google New features promised for smartphones, tablets and watches could improve how we interact with technology. Although it's too soon to tell how well these will work in practice, here's a look at what I'm looking forward to most this fall.
	Fast and accurate synchronization in the 'blink' of an eye "Let's synchronize our watches." It's the classic line before a group goes out on a mission. We are all familiar with the concept of synchronized clocks - less known, but equally important, is that wireless devices need to be synchronized too.
	3-D printing with metals achieved A team of researchers from the University of Twente has found a way to 3D print structures of copper and gold, by stacking microscopically small metal droplets. These droplets are made by melting a thin metal film using a pulsed laser. Their work is published on Advanced Materials.
	Microsoft fuels workplace brainstorming with Surface Hub Microsoft on Wednesday set out to boost workplace collaboration with a giant Surface Hub touch screen tailored for brainstorming.
	Robot eyes will benefit from insect vision The way insects see and track their prey is being applied to a new robot under development at the University of Adelaide, in the hopes of improving robot visual systems.
	Engineers create origami battery Origami, the Japanese art of paper folding, can be used to create beautiful birds, frogs and other small sculptures. Now a Binghamton University engineer says the technique can be applied to building batteries, too.
	Inventor Jake Dyson has LED light with cooling solution Jake Dyson, son of Dyson founder James, has staked out his corner in the engineering innovation world with a focus on LED solutions, the Jake Dyson Light. He has in turn been doing a rethink on the characteristics and function of a desk light.
	Apple dispatches fleet of cars to get map service data Apple said Wednesday that it is cruising streets in specially equipped cars to gather pictures and other data for its free online mapping service.
Has consumer capitalism hit a Powerwall? The enormous amount of press that Tesla received last month over the announcement of its battery storage system – the Powerwall – cannot be put down to just clever marketing. There are so many reasons why it has grabbed everyone's attention, including mine, but for reasons other than the hype that has surrounded it.
Ex-BlackBerry Co-CEO talks publicly for the first time Former BlackBerry co-chief executive Jim Balsillie said Tuesday that Apple's introduction of the iPhone and BlackBerry's rushed attempt to match it was devastating for the once iconic company.
	Messenger app tops a billion downloads at Google Play Facebook crowed that an Android version of its Messenger app has been downloaded more than a billion times from the Google Play store.
	Apple Music aims to strike modern lifestyle chord Apple is striking a power chord with a new music service in a bid to drown out offerings from established players such as Spotify, Deezer, YouTube and Pandora.
	Cybersecurity fears grow as defenses boosted: study The recent epidemic of cyberattacks has led to greater investment and spending on security, but fears are rising that hackers are gaining the upper hand, a study showed Wednesday.
China tech giant Baidu to develop driverless car Chinese search engine giant Baidu plans to develop a driverless car, according to domestic media reports, following in the footsteps of fellow technology firm Google.
	New system allows researchers to conduct studies while participants keep privacy In today's data-driven world, information is an important commodity. Data is collected about what people search for on Google, buy on Amazon and post on social media. It fuels the decisions that businesses make and is essential to important scientific research.
	Perovskite photovoltaic module with eight percent conversion efficiency Nano-electronics research center imec announced today at Intersolar Europe, a thin-film perovskite photovoltaic (PV) module of a power conversion efficiency of eight percent measured over an aperture area of 16cm2. The remarkable geometrical fill factor of more than 95 percent for this size of module, demonstrates the potential of scaling up this novel thin-film PV technology from cell to module level. The achievement is an important breakthrough in realizing a marketable thin-film solution for applications such as building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV).
	Large area industrial crystalline silicon n-PERT solar cell with a record 22.5 percent efficiency Nano-electronics research center imec announced today at Intersolar Europe, a new efficiency record for its large area n-type PERT (passivated emitter, rear totally diffused) crystalline silicon (Cz-Si) solar cell, now reaching 22.5 percent (calibrated at ISE CalLab). It is the highest efficiency achieved for a two-side-contacted solar cell processed on six inch commercially available n-type Cz-Si wafers without the use of passivated contacts.
Spotify gets investment as it faces competition from Apple Music streaming company Spotify said Wednesday it has gotten a new investment from a Nordic telecoms company as it looks to compete globally, particularly with a rival service that Apple is due to launch this month.
	Social media should play greater role in disaster communication When Typhoon Haiyan slammed into the Philippines in 2013, thousands of people were killed, in part because they didn't know it was coming or didn't know how to protect themselves.
	US states probe music labels for streaming collusion Prosecutors in two US states are investigating whether major music labels have colluded to prevent competition in the booming area of music streaming, one of the companies has revealed.
	Cybersecurity firm says spying campaign targeted Iran talks (Update) A cybersecurity firm with close ties to Russian intelligence said Wednesday it uncovered a cyber-espionage campaign targeting hotels that hosted Iran nuclear negotiations, the details of which are among the most closely held secrets in world diplomacy.
	Affidavit: Celebrity photo hacking tied to Chicago address U.S. authorities investigating last summer's celebrity photo-hacking scandal have seized computers and cell phones from a small home in Chicago, according to court documents.
	Why Americans are getting new credit cards A big change is happening inside your wallet.
Jawbone files second lawsuit against rival Fitbit Fitness tracker maker Jawbone has filed its second lawsuit in two weeks against competitor Fitbit.
	European businesses: China must better protect trade secrets China needs to better protect trade secrets and fairly enforce business rules to ensure European investment and hiring at a time when Chinese leaders are trying to foster a more innovative economy, the biggest European business group in China said Wednesday.
Home cooking US startup Blue Apron gets funding sizzle A US startup that delivers do-it-yourself home cooking kits complete with pre-measured ingredients announced on Tuesday it will turn up the heat with $135 million in fresh funding.
Police arrest dozens of suspects in cybercrime investigation Police have arrested dozens of suspects in an international investigation into a cybercrime gang that siphoned millions of euros from victims' accounts in an identity fraud scam.
	Robotic harvesting of broccoli could be coming to a field near you A project involving 3D camera technology currently being developed at the University of Lincoln, UK, could result in a fully automatic robotic harvesting system for broccoli.
	Marriott to offer Netflix access at hotels Marriott International Inc. says its flagship hotel unit will offer guests access to Netflix Inc.'s streaming-video service on TVs in its guest rooms.
	New system streamlines water leakage management Hitachi, Ltd. announced that starting today, it began sales of a new type of water leakage management system for use in emerging countries, including those in Southeast Asia. The system utilizes information technology ("IT") to estimate areas with large amount of leakage in water pipe networks, thereby streamlining water leak management operations. Hitachi plans to extend sales of the system as a key product in its water environment solutions business, and to further strengthen and extend its global development.
	Multiplexing millimeter-wave beams for 5G technology Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd. today announced that, in preparation for the next-generation mobile communications 5G system, it has achieved multiple access by multiplexing millimeter-wave beams. This technology will enable simultaneous high-capacity communications for multiple users while minimizing reductions in communications speeds. In the past, when large numbers of users communicated at the same time, because their emitted radio waves would interfere with each other, there was a need to partition time and frequencies, which resulted in the problem of slower communications speeds.
New report says US freight rail regulations outdated, recommends modernization efforts While a 1980 reform law enabled the modernization and stabilization of the U.S. freight railroad industry, federal regulation has not kept pace with the industry's transformation and should be replaced with a system better-suited for today's freight rail system, says a new congressionally mandated report from the National Research Council's Transportation Research Board. Current policies designed to protect rail shippers who lack transportation options from excessive rates are not working for shippers of most commodities, including grain. More appropriate, reliable, and usable procedures are needed to resolve these rate disputes without threatening the earnings railroads need to pay for their capital-intensive networks.
	New initiative targets emerging models of technological innovation Technological innovation—as essential as ever for economic growth—now occurs in a rapidly changing global and local context.
Netflix's stock soars as shareholders clear way for split Netflix's stock climbed to new high after shareholders cleared the way for its board of directors to make the Internet video service's stock more affordable.
Reddit removes five groups after creating harassment policy A month after announcing new guidelines, Reddit removed five groups that it said harassed people.

Medicine & Health news

	Cervical cancer vaccine might work after just one shot, not three Protecting girls from cervical cancer might be possible with just one dose of the HPV vaccine rather than the three now recommended, a new analysis suggests.
	New treatment hope for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis A previously unknown link between the immune system and the death of motor neurons in Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, has been discovered by scientists at the CHUM Research Centre and the University of Montreal. The finding paves the way to a whole new approach for finding a drug that can cure or at least slow the progression of such neurodegenerative diseases as ALS, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases.
	Youth on the autism spectrum overly sensitive to sensory stimuli have brains that react differently Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, a team of UCLA researchers has shown for the first time that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who are overly sensitive to sensory stimuli have brains that react differently than those with the disorder who don't respond so severely to noises, visual stimulation and physical contact.
	Possible cause of mild brain damage or trauma linked to resonance (Medical Xpress)—A team of researchers with Stanford University has found that even relatively minor head impacts can result in resonance that could possibly lead to long term brain damage. In their paper published in The Royal Society – Interface, the researchers discuss how they compared MRI brain scans with a computer model they created to come up with a reasonable estimate of the amount of resonance a human brain undergoes during minor impacts such as those that occur during sporting events.
	'Mutation accelerator' identified in gene mutation linked to common adult leukemia In preliminary experiments with mice and lab-grown cells, Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center scientists have found that a protein-signaling process accelerates the work of the gene most frequently mutated in a common form of adult leukemia and is likely necessary to bring about the full-blown disease.
	Some heartburn drugs may boost risk of heart attack, study finds A large data-mining study carried out by investigators at the Stanford University School of Medicine has linked a popular class of heartburn drugs to an elevated risk of heart attack.
Finding hope in the dark Advances in stem cell transplantation and gene therapy have been pioneered in vision research. An international team of researchers from Bristol, Toronto, Pittsburgh, Dallas and Montreal have identified a gene that could be responsible for some cases of human night blindness.
	The price of a happy ending can be bad decision-making, say researchers New research using high-speed gambling experiments shows that, for most of us, the last experience we've had can be the defining one when it comes to taking a decision, coming at the expense of other experiences we've accumulated further back in time.
	Single protein causes Parkinson's disease and multiple system atrophy Several neurodegenerative disorders are caused by aggregates of a single protein known as alpha-synuclein. In collaboration with CNRS and the University of Antwerp, KU Leuven neurobiologists have discovered that the shape of these aggregates - 'cylinders' or 'ribbons' - determines whether a patient develops Parkinson's disease or Multiple System Atrophy, respectively.
	Fragile X proteins involved in proper neuron development Fragile X syndrome is the most common inherited intellectual disability and the greatest single genetic contributor to autism. Unlocking the mechanisms behind fragile X could make important revelations about the brain.
	First functional, synthetic immune organ with controllable antibodies created Cornell University engineers have created a functional, synthetic immune organ that produces antibodies and can be controlled in the lab, completely separate from a living organism. The engineered organ has implications for everything from rapid production of immune therapies to new frontiers in cancer or infectious disease research.
First live birth after transplantation of ovarian tissue frozen during childhood A young woman has become the first in the world to give birth to a healthy child after doctors restored her fertility by transplanting ovarian tissue that had been removed and frozen while she was a child.
More women turning to CAM for menopause without medical guidance The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is increasing for the treatment of menopausal symptoms but often without the guidance of a clinician. That's according to a new study reported online today in Menopause, the journal of the North American Menopause Society (NAMS). As a result, the authors suggest that healthcare providers—in particular family medicine practitioners—need to be more aware of the various CAM therapies and take a more active role in guiding patients through their options to more safely and effectively coordinate their care.
Stillbirth and neonatal death rate report identifies areas for improvement in NHS services Almost one in every 150 babies born in the UK is stillborn or dies soon after birth. A research team led from the University of Leicester has identified large differences across the UK in the numbers and rates of babies who die, even after taking account of known factors that influence the rate of death such as poverty, mother's age and ethnicity.
	San Francisco approves health warning on sugary drink ads San Francisco supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to approve health warnings on ads for sugary sodas and some other drinks, saying such beverages contribute to obesity, diabetes and other health problems.
	FDA panel backs first-in-class cholesterol drug Federal health advisers on Tuesday recommended approval for a highly-anticipated cholesterol drug from Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, but with the caveat that more data is needed about its long-term ability to reduce heart attacks.
MERS death toll rises to nine in S. Korea South Korea on Wednesday reported two more deaths from Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), bringing to nine the total number of deaths in the current outbreak.
	New study explores whether newborns delivered by c-section face higher risk of chronic health problems later in life A new paper in the British Medical Journal by Jan Blustein, M.D., Ph.D., of New York University's Wagner School and a professor of Medicine and Population Health at NYU School of Medicine and Jianmeng Liu, M.D., Ph.D., of Peking University examines the evidence as to whether newborns delivered by Cesarean section are more likely to develop chronic diseases later in life. While the jury is still out and research is ongoing, recent studies underscore the need for health care providers to discuss with expectant parents the risk of babies born through cesarean section developing obesity, asthma, and diabetes, according to the paper by Blustein and Liu.
PCOS sufferers appear to benefit from lifestyle modification combined with metformin A systematic review publishing today in the journal Human Reproduction Update has found that women who suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) could manage some of the symptoms by combining a change in lifestyle with taking the drug metformin.
	Interest in learning about skin cancer appears to increase during summer Google searches for information on melanoma and skin cancer increased over the summer months during a five-year period, although the level of interest did not correlate with the melanoma mortality to incidence ratio, suggesting that increased search volumes may not be associated with early detection, according to a research letter published online by JAMA Dermatology.
	Common antibiotic may be the answer to many multidrug-resistant bacterial infections Contrary to current medical dogma, researchers at University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences report that the common antibiotic azithromycin kills many multidrug-resistant bacteria very effectively—when tested under conditions that closely resemble the human body and its natural antimicrobial factors. The researchers believe the finding, published June 10 by EBioMedicine, could prompt an immediate review of the current standard of care for patients with certain so-called "superbug" infections.
	Using diagnostics data to match patients with rare conditions When is a rare disease not a rare disease? The answer: when big data gets involved. An ambitious new research project aims to show patients that they are not alone.
	Researchers uncover how a faulty gene can trigger fatal heart condition University of Manchester research presented today at the British Cardiovascular Society Conference has revealed how a faulty gene can cause fatal abnormal heart rhythms that are brought on by exercise.
Can therapuetic massage alleviate cancer fatigue? In a continuation of clinical trials related to the biological benefits of massage therapy, Emory University researchers are currently studying how massage may help reduce fatigue in breast cancer patients.
	Risky outdoor play positively impacts children's health, says study New research from UBC and the Child & Family Research Institute at BC Children's Hospital shows that risky outdoor play is not only good for children's health but also encourages creativity, social skills and resilience.
Detecting blood clots with portable device Blockages in lung arteries could be diagnosed safely in real-time helping as many as 20,000 respiratory patients in Australia each year with emerging technology being developed by electrical engineering researchers at the University of Sydney.
	Astrocytes in the neurodegerating brain Researchers from Trinity College Dublin have discovered that specialised 'astrocytes' abandon their posts as protectors and repairers of the brain when primed by the neurodegeneration of cells around them.
	Telomere shortening linked to early aging, death among poor in Detroit The stress of living in extreme poverty causes early onset of age-related diseases and takes years off the lives of many of the urban poor—evidence at the cellular level now shows, according to a University of Michigan-led study.
	A cell-surface protein overexpressed in liver cancer offers a promising target for therapy Patients with cancer of the liver express elevated levels of Agrin, a specific protein which aids the growth and spread of the cancer, according to new research from A*STAR scientists. The protein could be an attractive target for treating the liver cancer known as hepatocellular carcinoma, one of the most common and deadly cancers in the world.
	Study discovers a genetic locus linked to higher chances of developing glaucoma A genome-wide significant association between a genetic locus and the development of glaucoma in people of various ethnicities has been uncovered by A*STAR researchers participating in an ambitious international project.
	The role of the sox6 gene in muscle fiber type differentiation Muscles are made up of both 'slow-twitch' and 'fast-twitch' fibers. The body requires both fiber types to maintain a balanced skeletal muscle system, although how the two different types are determined and maintained remains uncertain. Now, A*STAR researchers have clarified the role of the sox6 gene, and its product, the transcription factor protein Sox6, in regulating fast-twitch fiber differentiation in zebrafish.
	Immune cells interact in surprising ways when responding to skin injuries When skin is injured or exposed to a pathogen attack, the body's immune system responds rapidly. But the exact skin-cell-based mechanisms behind these responses remain unclear. Now, A*STAR researchers have uncovered how skin-localized cells called dermal dendritic cells (DDCs) respond to sterile skin injuries. Their insights may help to develop new therapeutic interventions administered via the skin, and define the role of skin immune cells in autoimmune and metabolic diseases.
	Caffeine may reduce stress – but it won't solve your problems Coffee addicts have been saying it for years – now an experiment on mice has found that caffeine does indeed help one stay cool in stressful situations – and has pinpointed the neurochemical pathways involved in the process. The researchers even suggest that the study may one day lead to medical therapies for stress-related illnesses in humans.
	Syllables that oscillate in neuronal circuits: What neuroscience can say about speech processing in the brain Speech, emitted or received, produces an electrical activity in neurons that neuroscientists measure in the form of "cortical oscillations". To understand speech, as for other cognitive or sensory processes, the brain breaks down the information it receives to integrate it and give it a coherent meaning. But researchers could not confirm whether oscillations were signs of neuronal activity, or whether these oscillations played an active role in speech processing. Two recent publications - in eLife and in Frontiers in Human Neurosciences - shed light on the importance of these oscillations which, when they are not produced as they should, can be associated with significant language disorders. Professor Anne-Lise Giraud and her team at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Geneva (UNIGE) reached such conclusions after having created a computerized model of neuronal microcircuits, which highlights the crucial role of neuronal oscillations to decode spoken language, independently of speakers' pace or accent.
	New live imaging shows how cancer communicates with other cells The ability to track and observe live cells in the body has offered unprecedented opportunities to the scientific community to understand key biological processes. Until now, reporter systems to track cells, especially in diseases like cancer, have largely been non-specific and difficult to implement. A team led by Dr. Jacco van Rheenen at the Hubrecht Institute in Utrecht, Netherlands became the first in the world to capture high-resolution in-vivo images of cancer cells interacting with other cells in the body. What they observed on film was even more interesting. Cancer cells were capable of transferring "malignancy" to pre-cancerous cells making them behave like malignant cells. The study was published in the journal Cell's May issue.
	The role of bacterial communication in breast tumor progression Breast cancer is a threat to men and women worldwide. Like all cancers, the known causes are attributed to genetics and carcinogens, but recently, scientists have begun to recognize the microbiome as another contributing factor. Historically, breast tissue had been thought to be sterile, but it has become increasingly evident that microbes may both move to and reside in the breast tissue and nipple ducts.
	Developments in the Treatment of PTSD Nightmares "What Dreams May Come: Treating the Nightmares of PTSD" was a blog I published in November 2013. It remains a very popular blog, which continues to receive many views and comments. Since publishing that blog, I have received multiple questions from readers about treatments for nightmares. These queries reinforce, for me, just how distressing this symptom of nightmares is for individuals who live with PTSD.
	Study finds decreased social anxiety among young adults who eat fermented foods Psychologists have traditionally looked to the mind to help people living with mental health issues. But a recent study led by William & Mary researchers shows that the stomach may also play a key role, suggesting that the old adage "you are what you eat" is more than a cliché.
	Researchers show nonstick chemicals may be linked to osteoporosis in women Researchers at the Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine report that women with higher blood levels of certain chemicals tended to have slightly lower bone density and a higher prevalence of osteoporosis.
Patients with moderate RA as likely to need joint surgery as those with high disease The results of a study presented today at the European League Against Rheumatism Annual Congress (EULAR 2015) Press Conference showed that patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) taking conventional DMARD therapy who have moderate disease activity have a similar risk of joint failure that requires surgery as those with high disease activity.
	Teenagers should exercise like kids to achieve best health outcomes As little as two minutes of high-intensity exercise four times a day improves health outcomes in adolescents, but the same amount of moderate-intensity exercise does not reap the same rewards, according to a new study from the University of Exeter.
	Walgreens, insurers push expansion of virtual doctor visits Millions of people will be able to see a doctor on their smartphones or laptops for everyday ailments once the nation's largest drugstore chain and two major insurers expand a budding push into virtual health care.
Pedophiles more likely to have physical irregularities New research suggests pedophiles are more likely to have superficial facial flaws, known as Minor Physical Anomalies (MPAs). They are also more likely to be left-handed, says Fiona Dyshniku of the University of Windsor in Canada. She led an investigation into the prevalence and distribution of physical anomalies among men who are sent for sexological assessment. The study in Springer's journal Archives of Sexual Behavior adds to a growing body of evidence that suggests pedophilia develops prenatally, around the same time that such physical flaws develop.
	Fast-tracking precision medicine: Drug re-aimed to target diabetic kidney disease It started out as a treatment for arthritis. But steered by science, it could become a first new approach in two decades for treating the damage that diabetes inflicts on the kidneys of millions of people.
	Tackling chronic sinusitis by addressing underlying factors The stuffy noses and sinus pressure of head colds are uncomfortable, but for most people, they go away within days. For those with chronic sinusitis, however, those symptoms and others drag on for weeks. Now scientists are onto a potential new therapy that could address one of the underlying factors associated with the condition. They describe their work in the ACS journal Molecular Pharmaceutics.
	Patient-powered research community, MyApnea.Org, aims to redefine sleep apnea research outcomes A new web-based community portal, MyApnea.Org, is recruiting patients, caregivers and those at risk for sleep apnea to join a growing community of patients and researchers to better understand sleep apnea through information sharing, support and research. The network brings together patients, researchers and health care providers to work together in the same virtual community to improve diagnosis and treatment, with the ultimate goal of improving the quality of life for those who suffer from sleep apnea.
Breast milk shared to help babies via online and offline communities Sharing breast milk to feed babies is a practice dating back millennia, and the Internet has facilitated the process creating some surprising exchanges.
	New obesity treatment prevents bone loss during weight loss Using the intestinal hormone GLP-1 in obesity treatment prevents the loss of bone mass otherwise frequently associated with major weight loss. This is the finding of a new study from the University of Copenhagen, Hvidovre and Glostrup Hospital. According to the researchers behind the study, the results may have a significant bearing on future obesity treatment.
	Obesity linked to adrenal disorder in teens may increase risk for cardiovascular disease Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles have demonstrated that adolescents and young adults with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) have significantly increased amounts of abdominal fat tissue, placing them at greater risk for harmful conditions linked to obesity, including cardiovascular disease (CVD).
	Gold-standard clinical trials fail to capture how behavior changes influence treatment Double-blind clinical trials for new drugs are considered the "gold standard" of medical research because they're designed to determine the efficacy of a treatment free from doctor and participant bias.
Low levels of hormone in African-Americans may increase hypertension Although hypertension is more common in African-Americans, they have significantly lower levels of a hormone produced in response to cardiac stress than white and Hispanic individuals, a finding that may indicate a target for prevention or treatment of heart disease, according to a study published today in JACC: Heart Failure.
Heart failure readmissions reduced with new optimization approach People hospitalized for heart failure had a significantly lower chance of being readmitted within 30 days of discharge when treated with a cardiac resynchronization therapy device, or CRT, equipped with an algorithm to automatically deliver and adjust therapy when compared to those receiving the standard CRT optimized with echocardiography, according to a study today in JACC: Heart Failure.
Statewide quality improvement program helps lower rates of trauma complications As health insurers place more emphasis on paying for quality outcomes rather than for specific services provided by doctors and hospitals, several quality improvement programs have been developed as a way to help health care providers identify problem areas and share best practices. While some studies have evaluated how well these quality improvement programs achieve their goals, not many have focused on the area of trauma care. But now a team of trauma surgeons at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor have reported how data from a statewide quality collaborative helped them reduce the rate of a serious trauma complication by more than half. The investigators' results appear as an "article in press" on the website of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons (JACS), in advance of print publication.
	Research shows that kids as young as 18 months understand stoicism When you're one and a half years old, having your favourite ball taken away is likely to result in a temper tantrum. But while babies wear their feelings on the sleeves of their onesies, adults often mask their emotions, responding to life's disappointments with stoic reserve.
	Interneurons find their way to the striatum Researchers from the MRC Centre for Developmental Neurobiology (MRC CDN) at King´s College London, led by Prof. Oscar Marín, have identified the mechanisms guiding interneurons to the striatum, a major brain centre involved in the coordination of body movement and motivation. These results, published in Journal of Neuroscience in collaboration with investigators from the Instituto de Neurociencias in Alicante (Spain), also reveal the molecule nature of the cues regulating the migration of striatal interneurons.
New drug can clear all psoriasis symptoms A University of Manchester led trial of a new psoriasis drug has resulted in 40 percent of people showing a complete clearance of psoriatic plaques after 12 weeks of treatment and over 90 percent showing improvement.
	Return trips feel shorter in hindsight People reflecting on a roundtrip walk estimated that the return trip took less time than the outward trip, according to a study published June 10, 2015 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Ryosuke Ozawa from Kyoto University, and colleagues.
	Many older adults going online to discuss, learn about sex Forget those ageist stereotypes that senior citizens have little interest in sex and are befuddled by technology. Many older adults are going online to dish about the joys of sex and swap advice about keeping their mojos working well into their twilight years, a new study found.
Survival benefit with 'fully human' EGFR antibody necitumumab in squamous non-small cell lung cancer This week, Lancet Oncology reports results of a 1,093-person phase III clinical trial of the drug necitumumab (IMC-11F8) combined with chemotherapies gemcitabine and cisplatin against stage IV squamous non-small cell lung cancer. With addition of necitumumab, median overall survival was 11.5 months compared with median survival of 9.9 months with the two chemotherapies alone.
US experts urge approval of another new cholesterol drug (Update) US experts urged regulators Wednesday to approve a second new anti-cholesterol drug, a day after recommending they bring to market the first in a new class of medications to lower the risk of heart attack.
	Clinical trial launched to assess safety and efficacy of autism drug treatment Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have launched a clinical trial to investigate the safety and efficacy of an unprecedented drug therapy for autism.
Ebola spikes again in Guinea, Sierra Leone: WHO The number of Ebola cases has risen in Guinea and Sierra Leone for the second consecutive week, the World Health Organization said Wednesday.
	Carotenoid levels in breast milk vary by country, diet A Purdue University-led analysis of breast milk concludes that levels of health-promoting compounds known as carotenoids differ by country, with the U.S. lagging behind China and Mexico, a reflection of regional dietary habits.
	Researchers develop novel ketone supplements to enhance non-toxic cancer therapy A team of researchers from the Hyperbaric Biomedical Research Laboratory at the University of South Florida (USF) doubled survival time in an aggressive metastatic cancer model using a novel combination of non-toxic dietary and hyperbaric oxygen therapies.
	Light-intensity exercise could prove beneficial to older adults, new research shows An easy walk, slow dancing, leisurely sports such as table tennis, household chores and other light-intensity exercise may be nearly as effective as moderate or vigorous exercise for older adults - if they get enough of that type of activity.
NAMS supports judicious use of systemic hormone therapy even after age 65 As new research continues to document the incidence of bothersome hot flashes lasting into the mid-60s for many women, the medical industry has had to rethink the way it approaches menopause therapy. As a result, earlier this month The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) issued its statement on the continuing use of systemic hormone therapy after age 65.
	Age not the equalizer once thought A common assumption about the aging is that the inequities they may have experienced earlier in life—be they economic, health-related or social—dissolve or are diminished with age and programs such as Social Security and Medicare.
More frequent overnight hot flashes linked with brain scan changes Women who experience more hot flashes, particularly while sleeping, during the menopause transition are more likely to have brain changes reflecting a higher risk for cerebrovascular disease, such as stroke and other brain blood flow problems, according to a pilot study led by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine published online today in Menopause and funded by the National Institutes of Health.
	Keeping mind, body active may not protect against underlying signs of Alzheimer's While participating in physical activities such as bike riding, dancing, walking and gardening and mentally stimulating activities such as crosswords and reading may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease, they may not do so by affecting the underlying markers for the disease, according to a study published in the June 10, 2015, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Specialized proteins may be detected in blood of people with Alzheimer's disease Specialized brain proteins that are involved in the removal of damaged nerve cell materials may be detected in the blood of people who were diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment or dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. In a select group of people who later developed dementia, the levels of the lysosomal proteins were abnormal while the people still had no problems with memory or thinking skills, according to a study published in the June 10, 2015, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
	Rape prevention training works, cuts sex assault risk A program that taught college women ways to prevent sexual assault cut in half the chances they would be raped over the next year, a Canadian study found. It was the first large, scientific test of resistance training, and the strong results should spur more universities to offer it, experts say.
	FDA panel backs Amgen cholesterol drug for some patients (Update) Federal health advisers said Wednesday that a highly-anticipated cholesterol-lowering drug from Amgen Inc. should be approved for patients with dangerously high levels of the artery-clogging substance.
Short boys are 2 to 3 times as likely as short girls to receive growth hormone Short boys are three times more likely than short girls to receive recombinant human growth hormone treatment for idiopathic short stature (ISS), even though in a general pediatric population, equal proportions of both genders fall under the height threshold designating ISS. Researchers who analyzed records of over 283,000 U.S. children and adolescents found a clear-cut and persistent gender bias in the provision of treatment.
	Obese patients at high risk of post-surgery complications Research from the University of Alberta's Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry is revealing the heavy surgical consequences of severe obesity.
Study discovers new method of classifying low-grade brain tumors A Case Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCCC) brain surgeon and neurosurgery professor is among the primary authors of a new approach to classifying tumors that could lead to significant improvements in their diagnosis and treatment. The research and recommendations appear online June 10 in The New England Journal of Medicine.
	Which artificial pancreas system is the best for children with type 1 diabetes? A Montréal research team, co-supervised by Dr. Rémi Rabasa-Lhoret from the IRCM and Dr. Laurent Legault from the Montreal Children's Hospital, undertook the first paediatric outpatient study to compare three alternative treatments for type 1 diabetes. The results, published this week in the scientific journal The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, shows the dual-hormone artificial pancreas provides the most benefits by reducing the time spent in nocturnal hypoglycaemia.
Strategies needed for community health worker programs to solve health care challenges Community health workers (CHW) are expected to be a growing and vital part of healthcare delivery in the United States as the Affordable Care Act is fully implemented. A slate of steps detailing how CHW programs can maximize their effectiveness and impact on patients and healthcare spending is provided in a new perspective piece in the New England Journal of Medicine by experts at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine and New York University.
Study redefines brain tumor diagnosis and treatment Not all brain cancers are the same but together they represent a deadly disease that has been difficult to identify and treat. Scientists at multiple institutions have found a new way of classifying brain cancers that could very well change how the illness is diagnosed and treated.
	Early CPR spurred by smartphone alerts saves lives (HealthDay)—Starting cardiopulmonary resuscitation early and using smartphone alerts to increase rates of bystander CPR can save people with cardiac arrest, two new studies find.
	Contaminated pet food, treats can harm people, too (HealthDay)— Tainted pet foods and treats may make more than your dog or cat sick, new data from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration suggests.
	Older Americans need protein to keep muscles strong, study says (HealthDay)—Older adults need a protein-rich diet to maintain muscle mass and strength, a new study suggests.
	Imaging deemed more effective than exercise tolerance testing (HealthDay)—For patients presenting with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD), cardiac imaging leads to fewer invasive coronary angiography (ICA) procedures and a higher yield of CAD, and is associated with lower costs than a traditional exercise tolerance test (ETT) strategy, according to a study published in the June 15 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
	CDC: Seeking those exposed to drug-resistant tuberculosis (HealthDay)—U.S. health authorities are trying to find anyone who may have had contact with a woman who has been diagnosed with a highly drug-resistant form of tuberculosis.
	CDC: Drug-resistant foodborne bacteria on rise (HealthDay)—Antibiotic-resistant infections from foodborne germs still cause about 440,000 illnesses in the United States each year, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Tuesday.
	Fewer BMD tests may be indicated for some women (HealthDay)—A postmenopausal woman who is 50 and has a normal bone density test may not need her next such test for 10 or even 15 years, according to research published in the June issue of Menopause.
Weekend screen time linked to poorer bone health in teen boys Weekend screen time is linked to poorer teen bone health—but only in boys, reveals research published in the online journal BMJ Open.
US military sent live anthrax to lab in Britain The Pentagon said Tuesday that it sent live anthrax to a lab in Britain, one of a growing number of places where the US military mistakenly shipped the potentially lethal bacteria.
Experts: California vaccine bill would increase immunization A hotly contested California bill to impose one of the strictest vaccination laws in the nation would boost immunization rates by changing parents' behavior, according to immunologists and people who have researched the impact of such requirements.
Court upholds key parts of Texas' strict anti-abortion law A federal appeals court upheld key parts of Texas's strict anti-abortion law on Tuesday, a decision that could leave as few as seven abortion clinics in the nation's second largest state.
Bayer sells diabetes business to Panasonic for 1 bln euros German pharmaceuticals and chemicals giant Bayer said Wednesday it has agreed to sell its diabetes care business to Panasonic Healthcare Holdings for 1.022 billion euros ($1.2 billion).
Woman isolated in Hong Kong hospital over MERS A woman was rushed to a Hong Kong hospital Wednesday on suspicion she had contracted the potentially deadly MERS virus, as an outbreak in South Korea triggers alarm elsewhere in Asia.
Italian nurse cured of Ebola An Italian nurse who contracted Ebola while working in Sierra Leone with medical charity Emergency has been cured and left hospital on Wednesday, the health ministry announced.
Increasing burden of non-communicable diseases There is a great need to slow down the increasing number of people who die prematurely because of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. Although, the challenges vary between countries, which means each country has to set its priorities to reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases, according to a dissertation from Umeå University in Sweden.
Multimodality treatment for metastatic lung cancer with surgery may improve survival rates Patients diagnosed with an advanced form of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) may benefit from surgical resection (removal of all or part of the lung) in combination with chemotherapy and radiation therapy, according to an article in the June 2015 issue of The Annals of Thoracic Surgery.
Intensive initial therapy with triple DMARDs improves functional ability in early RA The results of the tREACH trial presented today at the European League Against Rheumatism Annual Congress (EULAR 2015) Press Conference showed that initial therapy with combination DMARDs significantly improves measures of disease activity and functional ability in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). These findings suggest that an initial treatment regimen of methotrexate, sulfasalazine and hydroxychloroquine could provide significant patient benefits over monotherapy (methotrexate alone).
Ultrasound-defined tenosynovitis identified as strong predictor of early RA The results of a study presented today at the European League Against Rheumatism Annual Congress (EULAR 2015) Press Conference showed that ultrasound diagnosis of tenosynovitis (inflammation of the tendon sheath) was superior to clinical symptoms and signs in the prediction of early Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). This is the first study to show that ultrasound-defined tenosynovitis is a strong predictor of early RA. By identifying the need for treatment before the onset of symptoms and signs, this procedure has the potential to improve clinical outcomes.
Ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms: Advantages for men, but not for women Men benefit from one-time screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms via ultrasound. Studies provide proof that their risk of dying is reduced, the abdominal aorta ruptures less often, and emergency surgery can be avoided more often. Far fewer data are available for women and they show no relevant differences between the groups investigated. This is the result of the final report published on 28 May 2015 by the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG).
Impact of insecticides on the cognitive development of six-year-old children In an article published in the journal Environment International, researchers from Inserm (Inserm Unit 1085 - IRSET, the Institute of Research in Environmental and Occupational Health, Rennes), in association with the Laboratory for Developmental and Educational Psychology, LPDE (Rennes 2 University), provide new evidence of neurotoxicity in humans from pyrethroid insecticides, which are found in a wide variety of products and uses. An increase in the urinary levels of two pyrethroid metabolites (3-PBA and cis-DBCA) in children is associated with a significant decrease in their cognitive performances , particularly verbal comprehension and working memory. This study was carried out on nearly 300 mother and child pairs from the PELAGIE cohort (Brittany).
EULAR launches patients' position paper on use of biosimilars in rheumatology Welcome to EULAR 2015, which opens today in Rome and is set to be the biggest rheumatology event in Europe. Over 14,000 scientists, physicians and health professionals from more than 120 countries are taking part in a clinical and educational programme of lectures, workshops, abstracts, poster presentations and symposia.
Partial sleep deprivation linked to biological aging in older adults A new study suggests that one night of partial sleep deprivation promotes biological aging in older adults.
	New imaging technique pinpoints changes in brain connectivity following mTBI A new imaging technique can identify the specific changes in neural communication that can disrupt functional connectivity across the brain as a result of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). This information could help explain why many patients with a diagnosis of mTBI will experience physical, cognitive, and psychosocial symptoms that may persist, according to an article published in Brain Connectivity.
	Sleep duration and quality may impact cancer survival rate A new study suggests that pre-diagnostic short sleep duration and frequent snoring were associated with significantly poorer cancer-specific survival, particularly among women with breast cancer.
Risk for sleep disorders among college freshmen may predict retention, success A new study suggests that the risk for sleep disorders among college freshmen may be a predictor of retention and academic success.
New web tool allows public to compare quality of long-term care homes The public can now make a more informed choice about long-term care thanks to a new online tool launched today that compares facilities across Canada based on nine indicators such as safety, quality of life and general health of residents.
Sleep problems and energy product use associated with increased alcohol use in teens A new study suggest sleep problems and energy product use are associated with increased alcohol use in teens, even after controlling for sociodemographics and mental health.

Biology news

	Pigeon 'chain of command' aids navigation Having a hierarchical social structure with just a few well-connected leaders enables pigeon flocks to navigate more accurately on the wing, new research shows.
	Cuckoos mimic 'harmless' species as a disguise to infiltrate host nests Brood parasites are reproductive cheats that evolve ways of duping other birds into raising their young. Examples such as mimicry of host eggs, chicks and fledglings by brood parasitic eggs, chicks and fledglings are amongst the most iconic examples of animal deception in nature.
	Boozy chimps back 'drunken monkey' idea of Man and Ape Wild chimpanzees enjoying opportunistic booze-ups on palm wine have helped shed light on a theory about evolution, scientists said on Wednesday.
	Unlocking the biofuel energy stored in plant cell walls By virtue of their chloroplasts, plants are superb harvesters of solar energy. They use it to build leaves, flowers, fruits, stems, and roots. We harvest a small percentage of that energy in the form of food and a smaller amount in the form of wood for heating.
	Learning about the birds and the bees helps aid flight Research into how birds and bees use vision in flight is guiding the design of future autopilots and unmanned aerial vehicles.
	Study shows example of mammal adapting to fires by increasing torpor time (Phys.org)—A team of researchers with University of New England in Australia has found an example of a mammal adapting to the aftermath of a fire by extending its torpor time. In their paper published in The Royal Society - Biology Letters, the team describes their study involving the brown antechinus, a small insect eating marsupial mammal and why they believe what they learned is relevant to global warning.
	All change for bacterial outer membrane proteins The discovery of how a group of bacteria rapidly adapts to changing growth conditions could have implications for future antibiotic development, according to research at the University of Oxford and the University of York.
Barley study may produce longer lasting 'super' pita Healthier and longer lasting pita bread may be the outcome of barley research underway at the University of Adelaide's Waite campus.
Genetically modified fish on the loose? Genetically modified fish that overexpress growth hormone have been created for more than 25 years, but unlike many domesticated crops, transgenic fish have yet to enter commercial production. Because of the difficulty inherent in eradicating an established fish population, efforts are under way to model the threat posed by possible invasions.
	Study seeks to help southwestern white pine navigate climate change, disease A new collaborative project involving Virginia Commonwealth University seeks to understand the ecology and evolutionary history of the southwestern white pine tree – found in the mountains of the southwestern United States and Mexico – so as to help predict the tree species' response to climate change and infestations of an exotic fungal pathogen known as white pine blister rust.
	Researchers study birds in effort to curb the spread of West Nile virus The sun won't be up for a couple hours, but Dan Finnell and Ryan Levering are driving slowly through the darkness of Joseph Bryan Park, scanning the shrubs and trees with a thermal imaging camera attached to the passenger side window.
	How citizen scientists classified millions of Serengeti photos from home At this very moment in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, more than 200 hidden cameras are snapping photos day and night, capturing the secret lives of the Serengeti's most elusive animals.
	Enhancing biosecurity against pest threats across the Pacific Dr Monica Gruber has been researching invasive ants in the Pacific region since 2008 and is now heading the collaborative endeavour.
	Woylie woes continue despite reproductive success Despite recent recovery efforts and substantial reproductive potential in the south west brush-tailed bettong (Bettongia penicillata) numbers continue to decline in the wild due to predators and parasites.
	First-ever observation of the native capside of a retrovirus Researchers working at the Institut Pasteur in Montevideo (member of the Institut Pasteur International Network), in collaboration with the Uruguayan Medical School, obtained for the first time ever high-resolution images of the Bovine Leukemia Virus (BLV) capsid protein. Their images reveal unprecedented elements of flexibility in this protein, which are key for the assembly of the infectious particle. These findings, reported today in Science, represent a major progress in understanding retrovirus biology, opening new avenues towards the development of antiretroviral therapies.
	Microbe-mediated adaptation to a novel diet Insects are the most diverse animal group on earth. Many of them feed on plants, and they are constantly challenged by the diverse direct and indirect defenses of their food plants as well as an imbalanced nutrient composition. In response, the insects are continuously evolving different behavioral, morphological and biochemical adaptations to overcome the plant defenses. Additionally, some species rely on symbiotic microbes to deal with the plants' nutritional challenges. Scientists of the Max Planck Research Group Insect Symbiosis and the Experimental Ecology and Evolution Group at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology in Jena, Germany, have now found that acquiring a group of bacterial symbionts that are localized in the gut enabled a group of insects to successfully exploit a food source that was previously inaccessible to them and lead to the diversification within this new ecological niche (The ISME Journal, May 2015! ).
	Light pollution threatens the Balearic shearwater Petrel fledglings leave the nest after dark, but these marine birds' maiden flights towards the sea are hampered by city lights. Many collide or fall to the ground where they are in danger of being run over and vulnerable to predators. Now, a study has evaluated the impact of light pollution on three species of petrels on the Balearic Islands, including the Balearic shearwater, the most threatened sea bird in Europe, and concludes that between 30 and 47% of colonies are exposed to high levels of light pollution.
	Chimpanzee flexibly use facial expressions and vocalizations Chimpanzee may be able to use facial expressions and vocalizations flexibly, notably during physical contact play, according to a study published June 10, 2015 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Marina Davila-Ross from University of Portsmouth, UK and colleagues.
	Mysteries in the mushrooms: First records of fungi-feeding gnat larvae from South America A team of researchers from Brazil and Canada has found a South American example of interactions between a group of flies and the mushrooms they feed on as larvae. Though this group of flies has more than 1,100 species known from South and Central America, this is the first report of a species from the family being reared from, and associated with, a host fungus from the South America. The study was published in the open access journal Biodiversity Data Journal.
'Chromosome shattering' seen in plants, cancer Plants can undergo the same extreme 'chromosome shattering' seen in some human cancers and developmental syndromes, UC Davis researchers have found. Chromosome shattering, or 'chromothripsis,' has until now only been seen in animal cells. A paper on the work is published in the online journal eLife.
	Songbirds find success nesting in introduced shrubs We all like things that are bad for us sometimes, and birds are no different. When a bird or other animal makes choices that are actually harmful for it, by reducing their lifespan, reproductive success, or something else, this is known as an 'evolutionary trap.' If birds prefer to build their nests in non-native plant species but these nests are less successful, they've fallen into such a trap. A group of researchers recently set out to determine whether this is the case for Veeries (Catharus fuscescens) nesting in invasive shrubs in the forests of New York.
Spotted owl numbers not only down but also at faster rate Scientists report that after 20 years of attempts to save the species, northern spotted owl numbers in the Northwest are still on the decline—and at a faster rate.
	Yeasts on plums have a plus side Some naturally occurring yeasts may be useful for protecting stone fruits against pathogens that attack after harvest. Scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) looked to the microflora on the surface of the plum to find potential biocontrol agents against brown rot.
	New procedure to obtain induced pluripotent stem cells For their ability to differentiate into other cell types, the embryonic stem cells hold a large potential in the medical industry.  Their use, however, poses ethical questions due to the fact that in order to obtain them, it is necessary to destroy the embryo.  For this reason, medical researches use the so-called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC).  In fact, it is possible to reprogram adult cells that can be obtained by simply drawing blood and making them "regress" to a similar state to that of embryonic stem cells. The reprogrammed cells (iPSC) are capable of creating all the cell types of an adult organism, such as brain or heart cells.
	Kenya wildlife rangers launch secure radios to outwit poachers Kenyan wildlife officers launched a secure radio system Wednesday in their battle to protect elephants and rhinos, aiming to outwit poachers who listen in on wardens' communications.

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