Science X Newsletter Thursday, Sep 17

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for September 17, 2015:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Single photon decision-maker solves multi-armed bandit problem
- Researchers develop simple way to ward off Trojan attacks on quantum cryptographic systems
- Making 3-D objects disappear: Researchers create ultrathin invisibility cloak
- How the brain can stop action on a dime
- Solving the problem of sea ice thickness distribution using molecular concepts
- Designing switchable electric and magnetic order for low-energy computing
- Study sheds light on infertility puzzle, could improve in vitro fertilization
- Sponge cells build skeletons with pole-and-beam structure
- Not all organs age alike
- Can DNA evidence fill gaps in our history books?
- Research team leverage cells' noisy nature to keep them healthy
- Adaptation to high-fat diet, cold had profound effect on Inuit, including shorter height
- Roomba 980 cleans smart, flexes muscles when on the carpet
- Global warming 'pause' theory is dead but still twitching
- Sun provides dramatic backlighting for latest Pluto pictures

Astronomy & Space news

	Sun provides dramatic backlighting for latest Pluto pictures The newest pictures of Pluto are so up-close and personal that the mission's top scientist says it "makes you feel you are there."
	Professor will use an array of colors to study the Red Planet A Purdue University professor is part of the team of scientists preparing the next rover to visit Mars in 2020 to pave the way for future human missions.
	Image: SDO sees 3 coronal 'holes' The sun was visually dominated by three substantial coronal holes that rotated across its face the week of Sept. 8-10, 2015. Coronal holes are areas where the sun's magnetic field lines extend out into space and don't return to the sun.
	NASA's James Webb Space Telescope structure stands tall The flight structure of NASA's James Webb Space Telescope was standing tall on a platform in the cleanroom at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland on August 30.
	How we plan to bring dark matter to light Long before we had the atomic theory of matter, scientists knew the air was real, even though it was invisible. This was because we could see its action as the wind caressed the leaves in trees.
	Report: Orbital faces risks in resuming space station runs (Update) One of NASA's two commercial suppliers, Virginia-based Orbital, faces an uphill struggle in resuming deliveries to the International Space Station, according to a government report issued Thursday.
	Living in space—and on Earth—is a balancing act According to doctors, sometimes the best treatment for what ails you is rest. A new joint investigation by NASA and the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) may challenge that notion.
	Crew access tower stacking at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station begins The first new Crew Access Tower at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida since the Apollo era will take shape at Space Launch Complex-41 in the coming days as workers moved the first two tiers from a nearby construction yard to the pad surface. The tiers will be lifted into place atop each other at the foot of the launch pad starting next week.
	Image: BepiColombo spacecraft destined for Mercury Modules of the BepiColombo spacecraft, which will be on public view during the Sunday 4 October Open Day of ESA's ESTEC technical centre in the Netherlands.

Technology news

	Map brings needed attention to underpinning of Internet Four researchers have completed their study, "InterTubes: A Study of the US Long-haul Fiber-optic Infrastructure." The authors of this paper are drawing attention to the physical side of the wired Internet and its future: Attention must be paid. They said, "it is either taken for granted or implicitly assumed that the physical infrastructure of tomorrow's Internet will have the capacity, performance, and resilience required to develop and support ever more bandwidth-hungry, delay-intolerant, or QoS-sensitive services and applications."
	System can convert MRI heart scans into 3D-printed, physical models in a few hours Researchers at MIT and Boston Children's Hospital have developed a system that can take MRI scans of a patient's heart and, in a matter of hours, convert them into a tangible, physical model that surgeons can use to plan surgery.
	Wind turbine system recycles 'spillage' to improve energy efficiency A new prototype from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Jie Cheng could give a second wind to turbines that currently waste Mother Nature's strongest breaths.
	Amazon dangles $50 tablet computer to hook more consumers Amazon is dangling a $50 tablet computer in its latest attempt to lure consumers who can't afford or don't want the more expensive Internet-connected devices made by Apple and other rivals.
	Roomba 980 cleans smart, flexes muscles when on the carpet The iRobot Roomba 980 was announced earlier this week; many people recognize the "Roomba" name as standing for a little cleaning machine with smarts. The latest machine is attracting technology attention even among those who live in humble spaces where ordinary mops, sponges, cloths and brooms are enough to get them through the year. It's interesting.
	Altice buying Cablevision for $17.7B as it expands in US European telecommunications and cable company Altice has agreed to buy New York cable operator Cablevision for $17.7 billion, including debt, according to a person familiar with the matter.
	Pinterest claims 100 million users More than 100 million users are on Pinterest, the online bulletin board-style service which allows people to "pin" images based on their interests, the California company said Wednesday.
Annual Japan video game show opens with record exhibitors Japan's annual video game show opened Thursday with a record number of exhibitors, including independent companies and newcomers, a positive sign for an industry that has faced tough competition from games on social media and mobile devices.
	Tokyo videogame show transports fans to new realities It may not quite be the Matrix, but videogames giant Sony took fans on a journey into its own virtual reality on Thursday when it unveiled its revamped Morpheus headset at the annual Tokyo Game Show.
	Souped-up software reduces guesswork, tedium in computer-aided engineering A team of University of Wisconsin-Madison engineers recently released a new computer-aided engineering software program, and its users are already calling it a "gift from heaven."
	Why Facebook needs to do more to protect you from online abuse It took some persuading, but Facebook has agreed to join an international social media task force to help combat online hate in the wake of anti-refugee xenophobia on its pages.
	Why trying to ban sex robots is wrong "Ban sex robots!" scream the tech headlines, as if they're heralding the arrival of the latest artificial intelligence threat to humankind since autonomous killer robots. The campaign, led by academics Kathleen Richardson and Erik Billing, argues that the development of sex robots should be stopped because it reinforces or reproduces existing inequalities.
	Dutch nab hackers setting ransoms to unlock computers Dutch police revealed Thursday they have arrested two young hackers who infiltrated a type of malware known as "ransomware" to access thousands of computers worldwide, before demanding money to unlock the machines.
	Start-ups, IT giants explore auto world of tomorrow For a glimpse of the automobile of the future, take the escalator up to Hall 3.1 at the IAA motor show and step into the "New Mobility World".
Apple planning electronic books case appeal to Supreme Court Apple has signaled it will ask the Supreme Court to hear its claims that lower courts erred in finding it colluded with publishers to raise electronic book prices in 2010.
Miami becomes third US city with Internet domain name Officials say Miami will become the third U.S. city to have a dedicated Internet domain name.
Court blocks US sales of old Samsung phones in Apple battle (Update) A federal appeals court is blocking Samsung Electronics from selling some of its older smartphones in the U.S. in the latest twist to a long-running legal battle over how much of the devices' technology was copied from Apple's iPhone.
	Facebook counters Twitter with tool for journalists Facebook unveiled a new tool Thursday aimed at helping journalists using the social network track breaking and trending news, in a challenge to Twitter.
	Target pushes innovation but also promises to fix the basics Target is using 25 stores in the Los Angeles area as testing grounds for the retailer's top 50 innovations—from electronic tags to adviser services in the baby department.
Project to enhance the efficiency of concentrated solar power technology Vice President Joe Biden is announcing Wednesday (Sept. 16) that Purdue University has received an advanced U.S. Department of Energy research award to improve concentrating solar power (CSP) technology. Funded by the DOE SunShot Initiative, a research team from Purdue aims to test the material limitations of critical components often found in large-scale solar power plants.
ORCHID project re-inventing our relationship with computers University of Southampton researchers are at the forefront of a new science that is finding ways in which computers can work intelligently in partnership with people. This could support the management of some of today's most challenging situations, such as the aftermath of major disasters and smart energy systems.
TeliaSonera pulls out of troubled Central Asian markets In a major strategic move, TeliaSonera AB says it has started to wind down operations in Central Asia and will focus on core businesses in Europe and Sweden.
Kremlin-backed hackers spying on Europe, Asia, US: cybersecurity firm Russia has been sponsoring systematic cyberespionage in Europe, the US and Asia for seven years, Finnish data security firm F-Secure claimed in a report published on Thursday.
	96.7% recognition rate for handwritten Chinese characters using AI that mimics the human brain Fujitsu today announced the development of the world's first handwriting recognition technology by utilizing AI technology modeled on human brain processes to surpass a human equivalent recognition rate of 96.7%, that was established at a conference. Fujitsu had previously achieved top-level accuracy in this field, as demonstrated by taking first place, with a recognition rate of 94.8%, at a handwritten Chinese character recognition contest held at the International Conference on Document Analysis and Recognition (ICDAR), a top-level conference in the document image processing field.
	Facebook activates 'Safety Check' for Chile quake Facebook has activated a geolocation tool allowing people in Chile to reassure friends and loved ones after a powerful magnitude 8.3 quake shook the country, killing at least eight.
	American stops flights at 3 airports, problems soon resolved American Airlines flights to Dallas, Chicago and Miami were briefly stopped on Thursday by a computer problem that prevented passengers from checking in.
	A new defense for Navy ships: Protection from cyber attacks For most people, the term "cyber security" calls to mind stories of data theft like the recent hacks of the OPM database, or network spying like the 2012 breach of the Navy-Marine Corps Intranet.

Medicine & Health news

	Fruit and vegetables aren't only good for a healthy body—they protect your mind too Eating a Mediterranean diet or other healthy dietary pattern, comprising of fruit, vegetables, legumes, and nuts and low in processed meats, is associated with preventing the onset of depression, according to research published in the open access journal BMC Medicine. A large study of 15,093 people suggests depression could be linked with nutrient deficits.
	French startup claims development of in-vitro human sperm (Update) A French startup working with a top government lab said it has developed in-vitro human sperm, claiming a breakthrough in infertility treatment sought for more than a decade.
	Cancer doesn't sleep: Myc oncogene disrupts clock and metabolism in cancer cells Myc is a cancer-causing gene responsible for disrupting the normal 24-hour internal rhythm and metabolic pathways in cancer cells, found a team led by researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Postdoctoral fellow Brian Altman, PhD, and doctoral student Annie Hsieh, MD, both from the lab of senior author Chi Van Dang, MD, PhD, director Abramson Cancer Center, study body clock proteins associated with cancer cells.
	Digital 'Rosetta Stone' decrypts how mutations rewire cancer cells Scientists have discovered how genetic cancer mutations systematically attack the networks controlling human cells, knowledge critical for the future development of personalized precision cancer treatments.
	Not all organs age alike Aging is typically thought of as the gradual decline of the whole body, but new research shows that age affects organs in strikingly different ways. A study published September 17 in Cell Systems provides the first comprehensive view of how cellular proteins age in different organs, revealing major differences between the liver and brain in young and old rats. The findings suggest that how an organ ages may depend on its unique cellular properties and its physiological function in the body.
	Global consortium rewrites the 'cartography' of dengue virus An international consortium of laboratories worldwide that are studying the differences among dengue viruses has shown that while the long-held view that there are four genetically-distinct types of the virus holds, far more important are the differences in their antigenic properties - the 'coats' that the viruses wear that help our immune systems identify them.
	Adaptation to high-fat diet, cold had profound effect on Inuit, including shorter height The traditional diet of Greenland natives - the Inuit - is held up as an example of how high levels of omega-3 fatty acids can counterbalance the bad health effects of a high-fat diet, but a new study hints that what's true for the Inuit may not be true for everyone else.
	How the brain can stop action on a dime You're about to drive through an intersection when the light suddenly turns red. But you're able to slam on the brakes, just in time.
	Study sheds light on infertility puzzle, could improve in vitro fertilization We don't know if a sperm actually experiences joy when it finally finds the egg, but it does wiggle excitedly.
Report: Health care apps available in US top 165,000 Smartphone users now have more than 165,000 apps available to help them stay healthy or monitor a medical condition, but just three dozen account for nearly half of all downloads, according to a new report.
Study says patients with type 2 diabetes should be prioritized for obesity surgery New research published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology suggests that, when considering overall costs of healthcare, obese patients with type 2 diabetes, especially those with recent disease onset, should be prioritised for obesity surgery over those without type 2 diabetes, since many patients see a reversal of diabetes after surgery and thus need fewer expensive diabetes medications or treatment for complications in future.
	Harmful alcohol use linked with increased risk of alcohol-related cancers and injury A new study of alcohol use in countries of all income levels shows that current use increases the risk of alcohol-related cancers and injury, with no reduction in risk of mortality or cardiovascular disease overall. The research, published in The Lancet, supports health strategies to reduce harmful alcohol use, especially in low-income countries (LICs).
Morbidly obese toddler had adult diabetes: report A three-year-old who tipped the scales at 35 kilograms (77 pounds) has become one of the youngest people ever diagnosed with a lifestyle-related form of diabetes that strikes adults, her doctor said Thursday.
	Malaria deaths fall 60 percent since 2000: UN (Update) Malaria deaths worldwide have fallen by 60 percent since 2000, the UN said Thursday, with improved diagnostic tests and the massive distribution of mosquito nets aiding dramatic progress against the disease.
	Smart emergency scheme for people with dementia People with dementia exhibit many far-reaching changes of conduct. Embarrassment, fear, and reduced orientation ability decrease their degree of independence and social inclusion. The QuartrBack project coordinated by the Evangelische Heimstiftung now combines volunteer work with technologies for location, monitoring, information, and professional care. In this way, QuartrBack creates a smart emergency scheme to ensure access to familiar surroundings and social inclusion for people suffering from dementia. Within the framework of the project, ITAS assesses the technologies and studies non-technical, for example, ethic and social aspects.
	A national program to diagnose difficult-to-diagnose patients The National Institutes of Health's Undiagnosed Diseases Network launches today, and Euan Ashley, MRCP, DPhil, associate professor of cardiovascular medicine and of genetics at the Stanford University School of Medicine, has been named co-chair of the UDN steering committee.
	Filtered sunlight a safe, low-tech treatment for newborn jaundice Newborn jaundice can be treated with filtered sunlight, providing a safe, inexpensive, low-tech solution to a health problem that now causes permanent brain damage or death in more than 150,000 babies in developing countries each year.
Video: How bad is skipping breakfast? Does skipping breakfast lead to weight gain, as is often claimed?
	Incidence of diabetes and pre-diabetes on the rise A generation ago, there was no such thing as pre-diabetes. Well, the condition existed – it just wasn't given a name or diagnosed the way it is now.
	Innate immunity may help limit cancer growth Cancer immunotherapy, a relatively new frontier in cancer treatment, works by enhancing the capacity of one's immune system to attack cancer cells. To date, this field has focused on developing cancer vaccines or engineering specialized cells called lymphocytes capable of binding specific proteins produced by cancer cells but not by normal cells.
	Weight of food blogger affects advice credibility A blogger's weight affects her or his credibility with readers seeking food advice, according to a Cornell study published online and in a forthcoming print issue of the journal Health Communication.
	Scientists create human sperm in lab, but does it work? French researchers said Thursday they had patented a method to create sperm using stem cells harvested from infertile men—though they do not know if the lab-fabricated seed actually works.
New method of immunotherapy delivery lowers pain in children with high-risk neuroblastoma In children with high-risk relapsed/refractory neuroblastoma, long-term infusion (LTI) of the antibody ch14.18/CHO (dinutuximab-beta; the European counterpart of dinutuximab) in combination with other drugs lowered neuropathic pain, a major side effect encountered with the current standard mode of short-term infusion (STI) of the drug, according to data from a phase I/II clinical trial presented at the CRI-CIMT-EATI-AACR International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference, held Sept. 16–19.
	Telehealth: Using cell phones to fight chronic disease in Latin America Latin America has rapidly rising rates of chronic diseases, but mobile phones might be a key part of the solution, according to a new University of Michigan study.
	DNA methylation test might predict breast cancer relapse Every woman successfully treated for breast cancer lives with the knowledge that it could come back. New research published today in the journal Clinical Epigenetics may lead to a simple blood test to determine the risk of such recurrence, or the cancer invading other organs such as the lungs, bone or brain. Such a test would have profound implications for improving the future treatment of women with all types of breast cancer, a disease that will impact one-in-eight women.
	Scientists want to develop bloodstream bacterial drones to kill tumors Talk of building smart bombs, counterintelligence and infrared light-guided delivery systems may have raised a curious eyebrow from anyone walking by the open conference room door on the sixth floor of the University of Wyoming building.
	Psychology research links distress to perceived Internet pornography addiction A study of Internet pornography users suggests a person's own feeling of being addicted to online pornography drives mental health distress, not the pornography itself.
	New research reveals obese individuals can't switch off from food A new study has revealed what many health care professionals have long suspected, that obese individuals have a specific difficulty in directing their own attention away from unhealthy foods, when compared to the rest of the population.
	Do American adolescents approve of marijuana? Groundbreaking research published in the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse suggests that adolescents have become less likely to approve of and use marijuana over the last decade when compared to young adults. This is coming during a time where a majority of Americans support the full legalization of marijuana, according to a 2013 Gallup poll.  The study, Trends in the Disapproval and Use of Marijuana among Adolescents and Young Adults in the United States: 2002–2013, is free to read in the newest issue of the journal online.
Everything science knows right now about standing desks A proud moment for me this week as one of our former students is getting some great press for a systematic review she published with colleagues Dany MacDonald and Jamie Burr.  The review, published by Brittany MacEwen in the journal Preventive Medicine, looked at all the research on active workstations (treadmill and standing desks) so far. The review is impressive, even moreso given that it was written by an undergraduate student, and published in a very solid journal.
Facing up to online health care When our medical records are all in the cloud and available to be discussed among our health care professionals via online networks for diagnostics, treatment, and training purposes, how will we, as patients, know that our sensitive and personal information remains secure and private? This could be especially problematic as connected mobile devices become increasingly common in hospitals and doctors' surgeries.
Do oestrogen levels affect the willingness to share? Fluctuating hormone levels change a woman's social behaviour over the course of the menstrual cycle. Mood swings and irritability before the period as well as a greater interest in sex during ovulation are well known. Now psychologists at the Goethe University have discovered that the willingness to share one's own resources with strangers also fluctuates with hormone levels. Women exhibit a higher willingness to cooperate during and shortly after menstruation - this is the result of two online studies involving over 400 German and US American women.
	It's time for doctors to hang up the white coats for good On a warm August 2004 day in Philadelphia, I joined 150 first-year medical students on stage at the University of Pennsylvania to celebrate the start of our medical careers. The dean called our names and, one by one, draped short white coats around our shoulders. We then stood together as a class and recited the Hippocratic Oath, reflecting on the importance of becoming humanistic physicians. My parents had driven up from Kentucky and proudly sat in the audience. It was a powerful ritual and a memorable day.
Does having a visible difference impact upon intimate relationships? Researchers at UWE Bristol's Centre for Appearance Research (CAR) are conducting a research study examining the experiences of intimacy and intimate relationships amongst adults who have an altered appearance or an appearance altering condition (a 'visible difference').
	Surgical probe seeks out where cancer ends and healthy tissue begins A new surgical tool that uses light to make sure surgeons removing cancerous tumors "got it all" was found to correlate well with traditional pathologists' diagnoses in a clinical study, showing that the tool could soon enable reliable, real-time guidance for surgeons.
	New approach found to tackle breast cancer hormone therapy resistance University of Manchester researchers funded by Breast Cancer Now have discovered a new explanation as to why women with oestrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer develop resistance to hormone treatment, and a potential new approach to overcome the problem.
	Novel mechanism of insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes Insensitivity to insulin, also called insulin resistance, is associated with type 2 diabetes and affects several cell types and organs in the body. Now, scientists from Sweden's Karolinska Institutet have discovered a mechanism that explains how insulin-producing cells can be insulin resistant and insulin sensitive at the same time.
	Study: Type 2 diabetes pill Jardiance cuts risk of death Jardiance sharply reduced chances of dying in diabetic patients at high risk of heart complications, a study shows, making the Type 2 diabetes medication the first shown to lengthen diabetics' lives.
Physical activity, sadness, and suicidality in bullied US adolescents A study to be published in the October 2015 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (JAACAP) reports that exercise for 4 or more days per week is associated with an approximate 23% reduction in both suicidal ideation and attempt in bullied adolescents in the U.S.
Biomarker may predict who'll benefit from targeted therapy for HER2-negative breast cancer A multicenter team led by Case Western Reserve has demonstrated that brief exposure to a targeted therapy can tell doctors which HER2-negative patients will respond—and which should switch to another kind of treatment.
New prostate cancer screening review article advocates for active surveillance In the wake of changing guidelines related to prostate cancer screening, a newly published review article out of University Hospitals Case Medical Center's Seidman Cancer Center in Cleveland provides important guidance about the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test. The peer-reviewed article, titled Prostate Cancer Screening and the Associated Controversy, was published in the October issue of Surgical Clinics of North America.
	E. coli more virulent when accompanied by beneficial bacteria Scientists wonder why some people get so sick and even die after being infected by the foodborne pathogen E.coli O157:H7, while others experience much milder symptoms and recover relatively quickly. Now Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences researchers believe they have discovered an explanation.
Extreme makeover of the heart: Matrix therapy is first FDA-approved procedure of its kind A cardiovascular team at University of Utah Hospital has successfully performed a first-in-the-world heart procedure on a 72-year-old attorney after suffering a large heart attack. Amit N. Patel, M.D. M.S., director of clinical regenerative medicine and associate professor of surgery at University of Utah Health Care, was the first physician to perform an emerging heart procedure where cardiac matrix is directly injected into a damaged heart. This is the first clinical trial to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for matrix therapy of the heart.
Adolescent painkiller abuse a big problem for small towns, rural areas Adolescents who live in rural areas and small towns and cities are more likely to abuse prescription painkillers than adolescents who live in large urban areas, according to sociologists.
	This year's flu vaccine better than last year: CDC US health officials vowed Thursday that this year's vaccine against influenza is better than last year's, which packed little punch against the most common strain of the virus.
Global burden of leptospirosis is greater than thought, and growing The global burden of a tropical disease known as leptospirosis is far greater than previously estimated, resulting in more than 1 million new infections and nearly 59,000 deaths annually, a new international study led by the Yale School of Public Health has found.
Genomic differences between breast cancers of African American and white women identified A study from investigators at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Cancer Center has, for the first time, identified genomic differences between the breast tumors of African American and white women, differences that could contribute to the recognized differences in recurrence rate and survival. In their paper published online in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, the researchers report that several genetic characteristics of more aggressive tumors were significantly more prevalent in African American patients and appeared to be associated with a greater risk of tumor recurrence.
	Vaccine clears some precancerous cervical lesions in clinical trial Scientists have used a genetically engineered vaccine to successfully eradicate high-grade precancerous cervical lesions in nearly one-half of women who received the vaccine in a clinical trial. The goal, say the scientists, was to find nonsurgical ways to treat precancerous lesions caused by HPV.
Blood tests reveal early signs of CVD risk in obese African-American teens Long before they have symptoms, blood tests in obese African-American teens, especially girls, reveal immune system changes linked to greater cardiovascular disease risk, according to a study presented at the American Heart Association's 2015 High Blood Pressure Conference.
	New imaging technique detects early brain damage from hypertension A new imaging technique found that some people with high blood pressure also have damage to nerve tracts connecting different parts of the brain, according to a study presented at the American Heart Association's 2015 High Blood Pressure Conference.
	Researchers pinpoint genes linked to height, heart disease (HealthDay)—Scientists report they have identified new genes associated with height, heart disease risk and regulation of the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.
	Artificial pancreas works well in home trial (HealthDay)—The latest trial of an artificial pancreas system offers good news for people with type 1 diabetes—the system lowered blood sugar levels without increasing the risk of dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), a new British study says.
	Most smokers haven't considered quitting (HealthDay)—The idea of quitting doesn't cross the minds of most smokers, and the few who do think about it don't actively try to quit.
	Funding, mentors critical for academic rheumatology careers (HealthDay)—Funding and division/department support are ranked as critical factors in enabling rheumatologists to develop a career in academic research, according to a study published in the September issue of Arthritis Care & Research.
	Chemoradiation for glioblastoma takes toll on brain (HealthDay)—Radiation and chemotherapy can cause structural changes in the healthy brain tissue of patients with glioblastoma brain tumors, according to a study published in the Aug. 25 issue of Neurology.
	Substantial variability among clinicians in imaging recs (HealthDay)—There is substantial variability between radiologists and technologists in recommendation rates for additional imaging (RAI) during ultrasound interpretation, according to a study published in the October issue of the Journal of Clinical Ultrasound.
	Ipsilateral breast event risk higher over time with DCIS (HealthDay)—The risks of developing an ipsilateral breast event (IBE) and an invasive IBE increased over time for patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) who were selected on the basis of favorable clinical and pathologic characteristics for surgical excision without radiation, according to a study published online Sept. 14 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
	Addition of orlistat benefits obese patients with T2DM (HealthDay)—In overweight and obese patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), treatment with orlistat in addition to lifestyle modifications improves outcomes, according to research published online Sept. 8 in Obesity Reviews.
	Metabolic syndrome common in young women with lupus (HealthDay)—Metabolic syndrome is common in young, premenopausal women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and chloroquine appears to protect against metabolic syndrome in these women, according to a study published online Aug. 26 in Arthritis Care & Research.
	Romidepsin can reverse HIV latency in patients on long-term ART A cure for HIV requires the eradication of latent (i.e., dormant and therefore hidden) virus from reservoirs in immune cells throughout the body. HIV latency depends on the activity of proteins from the human host called histone deacetylases (HDAC), and previous work has shown that HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) can disrupt HIV latency. A study published on September 17th in PLOS Pathogens reports results from a clinical trial of an HDAC inhibitor that had shown potential in preclinical studies and answers open questions about the potential use of these drugs in strategies to eliminate HIV from the body.
	If mom or dad is a smoker, their teenager is more likely to be a smoker too The more a parent smokes, the more their teenage son or daughter will also smoke. Teenagers are much more likely to smoke and be dependent on nicotine if a parent is dependent on nicotine, especially daughters if their mother is dependent on nicotine. Results of the study by researchers at Columbia University Medical Center and the New York State Psychiatric Institute appear online in the American Journal of Public Health.
	Maternal chronic stress linked to more dental cavities in children Chronic maternal stress, when measured by biological markers, has been found for the first time to be associated with a higher prevalence of cavities among children, according to a study by King's College London and University of Washington. Chronic stress was also found to be linked to lower probabilities of breast feeding and dental visits by children, according to the research published today in the American Journal of Public Health.
	Study shows racial disparities in environmental health hazards An online tool used to help identify which California communities are hit hardest by environmental hazards reveals significant disparities by race, according to an analysis by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, and the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA).
	Down syndrome research untangles therapeutic possibilities for Alzheimer's More than five million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Of them, 400,000 also have Down syndrome. Both groups have similar looking brains with higher levels of the protein beta amyloid. In fact, patients with Down syndrome develop the abnormal protein at twice the rate. Results of a pilot study, published in the September issue of Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, confirms the pathogenic role of beta amyloid in dementia as seen in both AD and Down syndrome.
	Lower bed occupancy linked to lower hospital death rate Lower bed occupancy is linked to a lower hospital death rate and improved performance against the national 4 hour A&E waiting target, reveals research published online in Emergency Medicine Journal.
Dynamic braces for kids with scoliosis now in development Some six million people in the U.S. suffer from scoliosis, a sideways curvature of the spine. These include approximately 2 to 3% of adolescents who are diagnosed each year with idiopathic scoliosis, which is usually identified during puberty and progresses until skeletal maturity. One in 500 children today require treatment using spine braces and 1 in 5,000 need spinal surgery. The typical spine brace is made of rigid plastic that fits around the child's trunk and hips and applies counter-pressure on the spine's abnormal curve, on the theory that pressure and support on the curve from outside will stimulate more normal growth of the spine.
Immune system–boosting agent CpG-B reduced early-stage melanoma recurrences Among patients with clinically stage 1 or stage 2 melanoma, those treated with the immune system–boosting agent CpG-B were less likely to experience recurrence of their disease than those who received placebo, according to results from two randomized, placebo-controlled phase II clinical trials presented at the CRI-CIMT-EATI-AACR International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference, held Sept. 16–19.
Getting Indigenous doctors to where they're needed Aboriginal doctors are getting stuck in the urban hospital system rather than working in the rural and remote communities where they are most needed, says Indigenous GP Dr Aleeta Fejo.
Census Bureau report shows effectiveness of Affordable Care Act The number of uninsured people in the United States dropped by 8.8 million in 2014, according to a report released Sept. 16 from the U.S. Census Bureau.
	COPD sufferers prescribed most sedatives New research has revealed that Norwegian COPD sufferers are prescribed even more sedatives than psychiatric patients. The researchers behind the study believe that this is problematic because the drugs in question are addictive and inhibit lung function.
Sound focus on health or eating disorder in disguise? According to Norwegian fitness bloggers, the ideal female body is supposed to be slim, muscular, feminine and strong. However, the eating and workout regimes they promote are so strict, that even the bloggers themselves almost fail to follow them.
The women's cancer nobody talks about They're thrown into menopause in their twenties, lose the possibility to have biological children, and struggle with their sex life. But they don't talk about it. For while breast cancer is business, pink ribbons and celebrities - gynaecological cancer is still taboo.
Study finds high proportion of advanced breast cancers in sub-Saharan Africa In one of the first studies of its kind, a new report finds a large majority of breast cancers in Cote d'Ivoire and Republic of Congo are detected only after they've become advanced. The study, by American Cancer Society researchers and the African Cancer Registry Network, appears early online in the medical journal The Breast.
Lomitapide in hypercholesterolaemia: No hint of added benefit Lomitapide (trade name: Lojuxta) has been available since July 2013 as additional treatment for adults with homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia in whom diet and other drugs do not sufficiently lower cholesterol levels. The German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) examined in a dossier assessment whether this drug offers an added benefit over the appropriate comparator therapy. No such added benefit could be derived, however, because the dossier contained no suitable data.
Grieving before conception may be a risk factor for infant mortality An elevated infant death rate may be linked to mourning experienced by women in the months before they become pregnant, reports a study in Psychosomatic Medicine: Journal of Biobehavioral Medicine, the official journal of the American Psychosomatic Society.
Study of leukemias in children living close to heavily used roads Inserm researchers from CRESS (Epidemiology and Biostatistics Sorbonne Paris Cité Research Centre, Inserm - Paris Descartes University - University of Paris 13 - Paris Diderot University - INRA) studied the risk of acute leukaemia in children living close to heavily used roads. To address this question, the research team considered all 2,760 cases of leukaemia diagnosed in children under 15 years of age in metropolitan France over the 2002-2007 period.
'Being Sigmund Freud' The illusion of being in another body affects not only our perception (as is already known) but also our way of thinking. Thanks to virtual reality, some subjects embodied Sigmund Freud and proved better at giving themselves psychological advice compared to when they were simply themselves.
Molecular imaging study reveals improved detection of early recurrent prostate cancer A recently developed drug was significantly better at detecting recurring prostate cancer in early stages, in research published in the August 2015 issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine. In the study, the imaging agent—Ga-68 prostate-specific membrane antigen (Ga-68 PSMA)—used with positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET/CT), changed management in 44% more cases than another widely used agent.
	Researchers dig for cause of dog diabetes (HealthDay)—Like many other animals, man's best friend isn't immune to developing diabetes. But new research suggests that while the disease in dogs looks similar to type 1 diabetes in people, there are some significant differences between man and beast.
FDA flags infection issue with new type of medical scope Federal health regulators are drawing attention to the risk of infections with medical scopes used to examine breathing passages, following similar problems with scopes used in the stomach and intestines.
IADR/AADR publish article on the global economic impact of dental diseases The International and American Associations for Dental Research (IADR/AADR) have published an article titled "Global Economic Impact of Dental Diseases" in the OnlineFirst portion of the Journal of Dental Research. In it, authors Stefan Listl, Jennifer Galloway, Peter Mossey and Wagner Marcenes estimate the direct and indirect costs of dental diseases worldwide.
	Surgeons, athletic and musical pros join forces to devise new surgical training program What do surgeons, elite-level athletes and professional musicians have in common? When they perform, the team - be it a surgical team, a rowing team or choral ensemble - must act harmoniously for the greatest chance of success. Athletic and musical coaching groups have developed very successful coaching strategies that improve the performance of their teams.
High dietary sodium and potassium may worsen chronic kidney disease High dietary intake of sodium and potassium may speed the progression of kidney disease, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN). The findings could impact dietary recommendations to help safeguard patients' health.
Excessive daytime sleepiness and long naps linked to increased diabetes risk New research presented at this year's annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) shows that daytime sleepiness and taking long naps during the day are both associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. The research is by Dr Tomohide Yamada, University of Tokyo, Japan.
High protein diets, from both animal and plant sources, improve blood sugar control in diabetic patients New research presented at this year's annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) shows that high protein diets improve blood sugar control in patients with type 2 diabetes without any adverse effects on kidney function. The research is by Mariya Markova, German Institute of Human Nutrition (DIfE), Charité University Medicine, Berlin, Germany, and colleagues.
Hospital examines deaths of 2 patients with mold infections A Pittsburgh hospital is investigating whether the deaths of two patients were caused by mold-related infections they may have contracted in an intensive care unit.

Biology news

	Birds that eat at feeders more likely to get sick, spread disease Wild songbirds that prefer to eat at bird feeders have an increased risk of acquiring a common eye disease. In turn, these birds also spread the disease more quickly to their flock mates, according to an international research team led by Virginia Tech scientists.
	Scientists identify protein at death's door of cells A protein embedded in the surface of mitochondria - the energy-producing batteries of living cells - opens the door to cell death, causing cells to experience severe power failures, according to new work by researchers at Temple University School of Medicine. The new study, appearing online September 17 in the journal Molecular Cell, suggests that blocking the door with a small molecule inhibitor could be key to the treatment of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke, where extensive mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death hinder tissue recovery.
	Decoding cell division's mysterious spindle matrix Every high school biology class learns about the tiny cells that comprise our bodies, as well as about many of the diverse actions that they perform. One of these actions is called mitosis, the series of steps through which a cell divides itself into two daughter cells, each of which has the same genetic material. Mitosis involves copying or "replicating" each of the cell's DNA-containing chromosomes, and then separating them so that each of the two newly created cells has a complete set of chromosomes, just like the parent cell. Since each chromosome carries distinct genes, the daughter cells need to have all of them, and it is also damaging for the daughter cell to have too many of any of them. Errors in mitosis can lead to cancer and other diseases, so understanding every detail of cell division is of great interest beyond basic scientific discovery.
	Apes know a good thriller when they see one Remember the scene in the classic movie Alien, when that creepiest of creatures bursts out of John Hurt's belly as he writhes in pain? Well, according to a study reported in the Cell Press journal Current Biology on September 17, great apes are pretty good at remembering and anticipating memorable events they've seen on-screen too—even when they've seen the event only once.
	Can DNA evidence fill gaps in our history books? If you go back far enough, all people share a common ancestry. But some populations are more closely related than others based on events in the past that brought them together. Now, researchers reporting in the Cell Press journal Current Biology on September 17 have shown that it's possible to use DNA evidence as a means to reconstruct and date those significant past events. The findings suggest that evidence in our genomes can help to recover lost bits of history.
	Sponge cells build skeletons with pole-and-beam structure Researchers reporting in the Cell Press journal Current Biology on September 17 have found that sponges build their skeletons in a completely different way than other animals do. In fact, the building process looks a lot like the construction of man-made buildings, minus the architectural plans.
	Research team leverage cells' noisy nature to keep them healthy A cell's life is a noisy affair. These building blocks of life are constantly changing. They can spontaneously express different proteins and genes, change shape and size, die or resist dying, or become damaged and cancerous. Even within a population of the same type of cell, there is immense random variability between cells' structures, levels of protein expression, and sizes.
	A barrier against brain stem cell aging Neural stem cells generate new neurons throughout life in the mammalian brain. However, with advancing age the potential for regeneration in the brain dramatically declines. Scientists of the University of Zurich now identified a novel mechanism of how neural stem cells stay relatively free of aging-induced damage. A diffusion barrier regulates the sorting of damaged proteins during cell division.
	Naturally occurring 'GM' butterflies produced by gene transfer of wasp-associated viruses Research teams from the University of Valencia and the University of Tours have discovered that genes originating from parasitic wasps are present in the genomes of many butterflies. These genes were acquired through a wasp-associated virus that integrates into DNA. Wasp genes have now been domesticated and likely play a role in in protecting butterflies against other pathogenic viruses.
	The largest Australian nature discovery project finds four new bee species Four new native bee species were recognised as part of the largest Australian nature discovery project, called 'Bush Blitz'. The South Australian bee specialists used molecular and morphological evidence to prove them as new. Three of the species had narrow heads and long mouth parts - adaptations to foraging on flowers of emu-bushes, which have narrow constrictions at the base. The new species are described in the open access journal ZooKeys.
	Researchers diversify Kenyan greens to improve nutrition When Cornell horticulture professor Phillip Griffiths launched a multidisciplinary project in sub-Saharan Africa in 2012, he was not surprised to find that Kenyan communities are just as picky about their food as most Americans.
	Holding out for 'the one' makes evolutionary sense, suggests lovebirds study Most of us have spent a considerable part of our life looking for true love – our perfect match. The search for an ideal partner isn't exclusive to humans, many animals do it too. But from an evolutionary perspective it is not actually clear why we couple up at all. Why spend time and effort on being fuzzy when we could be reproducing?
	Evolution provides 'leg up' for bandicoots and bilbies Where you and I might see flesh and bones, Murdoch University's Dr Natalie Warburton sees evolution, conservation and the endless battle between predator and prey.
	The little squirt that can pack an environmental punch The humble sea squirt may be diminutive in size and stature but according to UWA PhD student Tiffany Simpson introduced species of this strange looking animal have the potential to do big damage.
	Researchers use artificial membranes to show how a particular protein reaches the mitochondria Mitochondria serve as the powerhouses of the cell, converting the energy stored in foods into a form cells can use. When this important task fails, it can result in numerous diseases, particularly those affecting organs with a high energy consumption like the brain or the heart. The Freiburg biochemistry professor Chris Meisinger, the Freiburg molecular medicine researcher Dr. Nora Vögtle, and the Freiburg pharmaceutical scientists Dr. Martin Holzer and Dr. Michael Keller have discovered a new import pathway proteins use to reach the mitochondria. The common assumption among researchers up until now has been that proteins are always transported into the mitochondria via so-called import machines. The newly discovered import pathway, by contrast, is independent of the import machines. The research team published the study in the Journal of Cell Biology.
	Diggers from down under: 11 new wasp species discovered in Australia After being mostly neglected for more than a hundred years, a group of digger wasps from Australia has been given a major overhaul in terms of species descriptions and identification methods. This approach has led to an almost 50% rise in the number of recognized species of these wasps on the continent. The study was published in the open access journal ZooKeys.
	Small rural owl fearlessly colonizes the city Think of the city and images of traffic, pollution, noise and crowds spring to mind. The metropolis doesn't seem to be the most ideal habitat for any animals other than humans. However, Spanish and Argentinean scientists have demonstrated that some species, such as the burrowing owl, have spent decades closing in on the city from the country without suffering from stress.
	Omega-3's are vital for a healthy ocean A new study published this week in Nature's Scientific Reports reveals the importance of omega-3 fatty acids for the health of the ocean.
	Lack of attention has made stripe rust a threat to the world's wheat, report shows Inconsistent funding for research into the pests and diseases that threaten key crops leaves global food supplies vulnerable, according to a University of Minnesota-led report published in today's edition of the journal Nature Plants.
	Captive snake with no male companion gives birth—again For the second time in two years, a captive snake in southeast Missouri has given birth without any interaction with a member of the opposite sex.
	Plant stem cell research may yield bigger, stronger crops A UConn researcher has identified a mutant plant that offers insight into how plants produce cell walls, which may ultimately reap applications for agricultural productivity and biofuel production.
	Restoring seven ponds in seven days Kicking off on 20 September, a conservation project in Norfolk is highlighting the vital role of ponds in the English countryside as part of a "seven ponds in seven days" restoration challenge.
	New consortium to create 'virtual cell' Drawing on complementary strengths of two San Diego institutions, The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) and the University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego) have formed a new consortium with a big mission: to map cells in space and time.
	There is strength in diversity Altered or new environmental conditions, such as those brought about by shifts in human land use and climate change, impose challenges on living organisms. This can drive species to extinction if they fail to adapt or adjust their geographic distribution. Individual differences play a key role here, and it seems that less is not always more. A new study by researchers from Linnaeus University published in Ecography demonstrates that a higher degree of among individual variation is beneficial to populations and species. These results will allow for more efficient protection and restoration of biodiversity, the authors say.

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