Science X Newsletter Thursday, Oct 15

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for October 15, 2015:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Panoramix: Protein named for comic book hero guides gene-silencing machinery to sites of havoc-causing transposons
- New Horizons reveals Pluto's striking surface variations and unique moon rotations
- Engineers create artificial skin that can send pressure sensation to brain cell
- Researchers use engineered viruses to provide quantum-based enhancement of energy transport
- New crystal material captures carbon from humid gas
- University of Cambridge: Android comfort zones are few
- Mound near lunar south pole formed by unique volcanic process
- A sex pheromone assembly line in Manduca sexta
- Researchers find neural switch that turns dreams on and off
- New study questions long-held theories of climate variability in the North Atlantic
- Review: Amazon's gizmos aim to be assistants for your abode
- Ocean protection gaining momentum, but still lags progress made on land
- Screen of human genome reveals set of genes essential for cellular viability
- New synthetic offers a better glimpse into diabetes and the aging process
- Scholars challenge colleges to reform STEM learning

Astronomy & Space news

	New Horizons reveals Pluto's striking surface variations and unique moon rotations University of Maryland astronomers Silvia Protopapa and Douglas Hamilton are among the authors of the first published paper from the New Horizons flyby, which appears in the Oct. 16, 2015 issue of the journal Science. Protopapa helped map the composition of Pluto's surface and locate ices on it. Hamilton helped confirm the shapes, sizes and unique rotations of two of Pluto's moons and the finding that no other moons appear to orbit Pluto. The findings will help scientists understand the origins and subsequent history of Pluto and its moons.
	Mound near lunar south pole formed by unique volcanic process A giant mound near the Moon's south pole appears to be a volcanic structure unlike any other found on the lunar surface, according to new research by Brown University geologists.
	Meet Nalla, the peregrine falcon that keeps the Cerebros tracking station bird-free This fierce creature is Nalla, a female peregrine falcon, resting on her handler, Adrian Rubio Botello.
	Flash floods in Mangala Valles via Mars Express orbiter Catastrophic flooding triggered by ice melting from the heat of volcanic activity is thought to be responsible for the chaotic scenery depicted in this region of the Mangala Valles channel network.
	Clearing the space fog The term "space fog" refers not to water droplets blocking the view in space - there's no water out there - but rather a phenomenon affecting the mental abilities of astronauts. Those who have spent time aboard the International Space Station coined the term to describe the difficulty concentrating and mental fatigue they sometimes experience.
	Webb 'Pathfinder Telescope' successfully completes first super-cold optical test Testing is crucial part of NASA's success on Earth and in space. So, as the actual flight components of NASA's James Webb Space Telescope come together, engineers are testing the non-flight equipment to ensure that tests on the real Webb telescope later goes safely and according to plan. Recently, the "pathfinder telescope," or just "Pathfinder," completed its first super-cold optical test that resulted in many first-of-a-kind demonstrations.
	Image: Mars rover school Prototype planetary lander and rover designs in place on simulated Red Planet terrain. Nicknamed the Mars Yard, it is used to test robotic devices on a planetary surface.

Technology news

	Engineers create artificial skin that can send pressure sensation to brain cell Stanford engineers have created a plastic "skin" that can detect how hard it is being pressed and generate an electric signal to deliver this sensory input directly to a living brain cell.
	Review: Amazon's gizmos aim to be assistants for your abode When I brought home review models of Amazon's Echo speaker, a sort of smart, voice-controlled speaker, and two Dash buttons that reorder household products with a single touch, I wasn't convinced I'd find them all that useful in my daily life.
	3-D-printed 'soft' robotic tentacle displays new level of agility (w/ Video) Cornell University engineers have developed a method to re-create the arrangement of muscles of an octopus tentacle, using an elastomer and 3D printer.
	University of Cambridge: Android comfort zones are few By now everyone gets it. Android as a mobile operating system has been a malice magnet, and the scenario by now is familiar: Android teams rush out their patches to manufacturers but a lot of white noise from some of the manufacturers deters neat endings.
	Artificial whisker reveals source of harbor seal's uncanny prey-sensing ability Harbor seals have an amazingly fine-tuned sense for detecting prey, as marine biologists have noted for years. Even when blindfolded, trained seals are able to chase the precise path of an object that swam by 30 seconds earlier. Scientists have suspected that the seal's laser-like tracking ability is due in part to its antennae-like whiskers.
	Affordable camera reveals hidden details invisible to the naked eye Peering into a grocery store bin, it's hard to tell if a peach or tomato or avocado is starting to go bad underneath its skin.
	Feds eye pilotless helicopters to battle wildfires The future of wildland firefighting launched Wednesday morning in Idaho.
	Despite exposure, new nations joining cyberespionage game Researchers say some smaller, poorer nations are now using spy software, suggesting that recent data leaks and lawsuits have not deterred governments from investing in off-the-shelf cyberespionage products.
Deezer, BandPage to tailor ticket offers to listening habits Streaming music service Deezer is partnering with artist-profile company BandPage to let listeners know when their favorite musicians are in town.
	German order triggers recall of 8.5M VW cars in Europe (Update) German authorities on Thursday ordered a recall of all Volkswagen cars fitted with emissions test-cheating software, a decision that will affect 8.5 million VW diesel vehicles across the 28-nation European Union.
	Researchers using human sensing technology to study underserved populations As its first year wraps up, the Center of Excellence for Mobile Sensor Data-to-Knowledge (MD2K) has made significant progress toward its goal of using mobile sensor data to realize precision medicine. Through their involvement with MD2K, researchers at Rice University are using human sensing technology to study underserved populations.
	Music-streaming firm Deezer seeks 300 mn euros at IPO French music-streaming service Deezer announced Thursday it aimed to raise 300 million euros via an initial public offering, as it bids to shore up its position in the ultra-competitive industry.
Need for speed finally trumps demands of ad trackers to offer a sleeker mobile web To adblock or not to adblock? It seems the mobile web is reaching a turning point as the effects of the huge numbers of adverts and advertising trackers and widgets embedded in web pages become better understood.
	3-D printing of microwave circuits The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) has recently assisted Imperial College London to investigate the design, fabrication and testing of waveguides manufactured using 3D-printing techniques, by providing the underpinning metrology needed to determine their electromagnetic performance.
	Exoskeleton to ensure an active old age Researchers from Aalborg University are involved in an international project to develop portable robot skeletons for the elderly so they can continue to be active longer. Think of it as a tool, not as a robot, says researcher.
	Yahoo Mail upgrade sheds passwords Yahoo on Thursday set out to make its free email service hip again with upgrades that included getting rid of the need for passwords on mobile devices.
	Researchers perform world's first automated mass-crowd count Computers have scanned aerial photographs and conducted the first automated mass-crowd count in the world, thanks to the work of researchers at the University of Central Florida.
	New technology in credit cards leads to headaches for some Millions of Americans are getting new credit and debit cards with more secure chip technology, and that's already leading to headaches for companies that rely on working cards to charge their customers every month.
	New study highlights environmental, economic shortcomings of federal biofuel laws The federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and its overreliance on corn ethanol has created additional environmental problems in its 10-year history, resulting in unmet targets for cutting air pollution, water contamination and soil erosion, concludes a new study released by University of Tennessee researchers.
	Forbes lists video gamer 'PewDiePie' as top YouTube earner YouTube's top-earning celebrity is a 25-year-old video-game-playing jokester who took in $12 million over the past year.
Back off, tablets: PC companies plan a $70M ad campaign So many people have gone so long without buying a new personal computer that the industry's biggest players are trying something different: a quirky advertising campaign. The $70 million marketing push aims to highlight how much better PCs have gotten since smartphones and tablets came along.
	YouTube Gaming adds mobile play streaming YouTube Gaming on Thursday ramped up its challenge to Amazon-owned Twitch by adding streamed play of mobile games and a new subscription option.
	French love affair with diesel set to end France's long love affair with diesel is set to draw to a close after the government announced a rise in the price of the fuel just weeks ahead of a major climate conference in Paris.
	Predictive tools could help rescue workers contain disasters The software, developed by the EU-funded PREDICT project, has been designed to be capable of foreseeing and predicting the possible 'cascade effects' of a disaster. By simulating the evolution of possible impacts stemming from, say, a catastrophic flood or storm surge on industries and public services such as transport, decision makers are in a better position to take effective action quickly and to respond to prevent a domino effect.
Mobile phone navigation service for older people VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland has developed a mobile phone-based navigation service which guides older users to the right address, even when lost in a strange town. The result of a European project, the service helps older people to use public transport, assisting them along the entire route.
Brazil police force bans smartphones, social media on job Rio de Janeiro's state police force has banned officers' use of smartphones on the job, saying instant messaging services and social media on the beat threatens security.
NBCUniversal launching online comedy service for $4 a month NBCUniversal's latest effort to target millennials is coming: An online video service focused on comedy that costs $4 a month.

Medicine & Health news

	Decoding the microbial signature of aggressive form of breast cancer Cancer is a result of normal cellular functions going wildly awry on a genetic level. That fact has been known for some time, but increasing evidence is showing that the human microbiome, the diverse population of microorganisms within every person, may play a key role in either setting the stage for cancer or even directly causing some forms of it. A new study from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, led by Erle S. Robertson, PhD and James C. Alwine, PhD, has identified, for the first time, an association between two microbial signatures and triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), the most aggressive form of the disease. The work was published online this week in Scientific Reports.
	Scientists develop genetic blueprint of inner ear cell development Using a sensitive new technology called single-cell RNA-seq on cells from mice, scientists have created the first high-resolution gene expression map of the newborn mouse inner ear. The findings provide new insight into how epithelial cells in the inner ear develop and differentiate into specialized cells that serve critical functions for hearing and maintaining balance. Understanding how these important cells form may provide a foundation for the potential development of cell-based therapies for treating hearing loss and balance disorders. The research was conducted by scientists at the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), part of the National Institutes of Health.
	Duke launches autism research app with global reach A team of researchers and software developers from Duke University and the Duke Medical Center has introduced a free iOS app to learn more about autism in young children living around the world.
	New molecule prevents recurrent temporal lobe epilepsy in mice Working in mice, researchers at Duke University have discovered a potential new class of drugs that may prevent the development of temporal lobe epilepsy, one of the most common and devastating forms of epilepsy.
	Cancer-driving signals cause high-risk neuroblastoma Researchers have discovered details of the abnormal molecular signals and biological events that drive a high-risk form of the childhood cancer neuroblastoma. They aim to use these findings to develop more effective targeted treatments.
	Does fungus cause Alzheimer's? Traces of fungus have been discovered in the brains of Alzheimer's sufferers, researchers said Thursday, relaunching the question: might the disease be caused by an infectious microbe?
	Screen of human genome reveals set of genes essential for cellular viability Using two complementary analytical approaches, scientists at Whitehead Institute and Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard have for the first time identified the universe of genes in the human genome essential for the survival and proliferation of human cell lines or cultured human cells.
	Researchers find neural switch that turns dreams on and off At the flip of a switch, University of California, Berkeley, neuroscientists can send a sleeping mouse into dreamland.
	The size of your hippocampi could indicate your risk of cognitive impairment A larger brain volume could indicate a reduced risk of memory decline according to research published in the open access journal Alzheimer's Research and Therapy.
Children with developmental delays—are we checking their genes for answers? A nine-month-old boy isn't rolling over, reaching for objects or babbling as he should be. One step his doctor won't likely take right away: have him evaluated by a genetics specialist.
Study finds many AFib patients are not properly assessed for stroke and bleeding risks Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) have an increased risk for stroke and are often prescribed oral anticoagulation (OAC) therapy. OAC therapy can prevent disastrous strokes, but at the expense of increased bleeding risks. There are now well-established guidelines to assess the risk of stroke and bleeding in AF patients to determine whether OAC is needed. However, in new a study in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology, researchers found that primary care physicians were often under- or over-estimating stroke and/or bleeding risk, in part because they failed to utilize guideline-recommended risk scoring approaches in one-half and three-quarters of their patients, respectively. This, in turn led to under- and over-prescription of OACs, misdosing, and other problems that could result in an unnecessarily increased risk of stroke and bleeding events.
	Watching movies helped improve vision in children with amblyopia Amblyopia, commonly known as "lazy-eye," has been classically treated by patching the strong eye to force the weaker eye to be used. However, the concept of binocular dysfunction, in which the brain suppresses the image from the weaker eye in favor of the stronger eye, has motivated new approaches to amblyopia treatment. In a new report published in the Journal of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS), researchers describe how the use of dichoptic therapy, which presents different images to each eye separately, combined with popular children's movies, has produced improved visual acuity in young children.
New test could help personalize treatment for common childhood cancer A new gene test can identify which patients are likely to suffer more aggressive forms of the childhood cancer rhabdomyosarcoma, new research reports.
Blood test could match cancer patients to best treatments UK-funded scientists have developed a blood test that could help pair cancer patients with the most suitable therapy for their disease and then track the tumour's progress to see if the treatment is working, according to research published today in Clinical Cancer Research.
	Plight of NFL player stricken by MRSA germ 'extremely unusual' (HealthDay)—Infectious diseases doctors say they're puzzled by a serious MRSA infection that could cost a professional football player his foot.
	Churches a good place for HIV testing, treatment in africa (HealthDay)—Churches and other faith-based centers are good locations to offer HIV testing and treatment for pregnant women in isolated areas of sub-Saharan Africa, a new study shows.
Many new moms still lack breast-feeding support at work (HealthDay)—New mothers who return to work while breast-feeding still face significant obstacles, research shows.
	Coadministering tdap, flu vaccines safe in pregnancy (HealthDay)—Coadministering tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) and influenza vaccines appears safe in pregnancy, according to a study published online Oct. 5 in Obstetrics & Gynecology.
	Squamous cell carcinoma can develop on verrucous lesions (HealthDay)—Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) can develop on long-standing verrucous lesions, according to a report published as a letter to the editor in the October issue of The Journal of Dermatology.
	Cannabis not recommended to prevent post-op nausea (HealthDay)—Cannabis should not be used to prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) because of unacceptable side effects and low effectiveness, according to a study published online Sept. 30 in Anesthesia & Analgesia.
	Unique platform ID'd for producing cone photoreceptors (HealthDay)—A member of the Cerberus gene family, Coco (Dand5), appears to be involved in differentiation into S-cone photoreceptors by blocking BMP/TGFβ/Wnt signaling, according to an experimental study published online Oct. 1 in Development.
	Alpha-tocopherol bioavailability lower in metabolic syndrome (HealthDay)—For adults, α-tocopheraol bioavailability is unaffected by dairy fat quantity but is lower in those with metabolic syndrome (MetS), according to a study published online Oct. 7 in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Study reveals high rates of preventable cancers in Indigenous peoples of high-income countries Research published in The Lancet Oncology, led by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) on the scale and profile of cancer in indigenous peoples of the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand has revealed high rates of often preventable cancers including lung and cervical cancer, emphasising the need for targeted prevention strategies in these populations.
Valeant under US federal investigation over drug pricing Canadian pharmaceutical group Valeant says it has received subpoenas from US federal prosecutors seeking information about the pricing and distribution of its drugs, along with how it makes them more affordable for patients.
	Beauty may come at a hidden health cost for African-Americans When Teni Adewumi was growing up, she, like many of her family members and friends, spent countless hours in hair salons without ever thinking about the potential side effects of the harsh chemicals being used on their hair.
	Pregnancy and infant loss a painful reality for many For most, pregnancy is a joyful time of anticipation of the arrival of a child. Unfortunately for some, the arrival is of painful loss.
	Why you should think twice about reaching for your phone at lunch Does a doorhandle or a keyboard have more germs?
	Assessing traumatic brain injuries UConn researchers are working with college athletes to test a new device that can quickly assess concussions and other traumatic brain injuries.
	Rare variant discovered through deep whole-genome sequencing of 1,070 Japanese people A research group at Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization (ToMMo) has successfully constructed a Japanese population reference panel (1KJPN), from the genome information of 1,070 individuals who had participated in the cohort studies of the Tohoku Medical Megabank Project.
Peers and mental health can influence dating violence A new emergency department study from the University of Michigan Injury Center looks deeper at risk and protective factors among teenagers who report dating violence and alcohol use.
The suffering of African refugees with psychosis With Europe's migrant crisis showing no sign of ending, ground-breaking new research in the journal Psychosisexplores the harrowing experiences of refugees diagnosed with psychosis.
	Chocolate smells pink and stripy: Exploring how synesthetes see smells Being able to identify a smell or flavour appears to be the most important factor in how some synesthetes 'see' them, according to a study just published in the journal Cognitive Neuroscience.
Patients with lower income less likely to participate in clinical trials Patients newly diagnosed with cancer were less likely to participate in clinical trials if their annual household income was below $50,000, according to an article published online by JAMA Oncology.
Self-esteem among young women undergoing facial plastic surgery in China A study of young women in China undergoing cosmetic surgery on their eyelids and noses suggests feelings of self-esteem and self-efficacy (confidence in one's abilities) were lower before surgery but increased in the months after surgery, according to an article published by JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery.
Test helps ID patients for home monitoring device for progression of AMD Use of a qualification test within a retinal practice appeared to be effective in predicting which patients with intermediate age-related macular degeneration (AMD) would be good candidates to initiate use of a home monitoring device for progression to more severe AMD, according to a study published online by JAMA Ophthalmology.
	US neuroscientists call for creation of 'brain observatories' What is the future of the BRAIN Initiative? This national White House Grand Challenge involving more than 100 laboratories in the United States has already made progress in establishing large-scale neuroscience goals and developing shared tools. And now in an Opinion paper publishing October 15 in Neuron, leading American neuroscientists call for the next step: a coordinated national network of neurotechnology centers or "brain observatories."
	Study finds conversations parents have with their children after an injury help them avoid danger in the future Two kids climb into an empty shopping cart and launch themselves down a hill.
	Researchers identify a new culprit behind fibrosis An international team of researchers has identified a new molecule involved in skin fibrosis, a life-threatening disease characterized by the inflammation and hardening of skin tissue. The new study is the first to investigate the role of this molecule in skin fibrosis and paves the way toward new and improved therapies for the disease.
Rare mutation may extend survival in lung cancer patients with brain metastases Most patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has metastasized to the brain have a dire prognosis. But Yale researchers have identified a subset of those patients with a rare genetic mutation who are living significantly longer than patients without the mutation.
Researchers link organ transplant drug to rise in rare lymphoma A study led by Johns Hopkins researchers has linked the immunosuppressive drug mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) to an increased risk of central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma in solid organ transplant patients. But the same study also found that another class of immunosuppressive drugs, called calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs), given alone or in combination with MMF, appears to protect transplant patients against this rare form of lymphoma.
	Study reveals why cancer anemia treatment leads to tumor growth Scientists have shown why a drug widely used to treat chemotherapy-induced anemia in ovarian and breast cancer patients also may shorten survival times in some patients by inadvertently stimulating tumor growth.
	Sendai virus defends against a threat A research group at Hiroshima University demonstrated the mechanism by which the Sendai virus (SeV) escapes the host immune system. The researchers examined the crystal structure of the complex of SeV C protein and transcription factor STAT1, and found that SeV C protein inhibits the signal transduction pathway of interferon gamma. This discovery will allow the design of drugs that can be used to overcome recover from damage caused by interferon, wherein the drug acts by inhibiting the binding between C protein and STAT1. Researchers are now trying to screen low molecular weight compounds for developing new anti-viral drugs.
When punishment doesn't fit the crime New research finds people with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) —such as those incurred from violent accidents or combat—are more prone to misjudge when faced with situations involving dispute or requiring discipline.
	Discovery advances our understanding of how our brain controls body hydration and temperature Scientists at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) and Duke University have made a breakthrough that advances our understanding of how the brain detects and prevents dehydration. They have identified the structure of a key protein located in the brain, which is involved in body hydration and that could control temperature. The findings, which were recently published in the print issue of Cell Reports, could have important clinical implications, as this protein could be a target for the development of treatments and diagnostic tests for many health problems associated with the imbalance of bodily fluids, commonly seen in the emergency room.
	Laser-based imaging tool could increase accuracy, safety of brain tumor surgery Brain tumor tissue can be hard to distinguish from normal brain during surgery. Neurosurgeons use their best judgment in the operating room but often must guess exactly where the edges of the tumor are while removing it.
	Yoga in jails helps make better fathers A Washington State University researcher has found that yoga can help fathers in jail be better dads.
	Sexual transmission of Ebola virus in Liberia confirmed using genomic analysis A suspected case of sexual transmission of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in Liberia was confirmed using genomic analysis, thanks to in-country laboratory capabilities established by U.S. Army scientists in collaboration with the Liberian Institute for Biomedical Research (LIBR).
	Team describes rapid, sensitive test for HIV mutations Tests that can distinguish whether HIV-positive people are infected with a drug-resistant strain or a non-resistant strain allow patients to get the most effective treatment as quickly as possible. In the November edition of the Journal of Molecular Diagnostics, a team of Brown University researchers describes a new method that works faster and more sensitively in lab testing than the current standard technologies.
Researchers to begin study of new radiation therapy system to treat breast cancer After more than a decade of research and development, researchers in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine will begin enrolling patients in the first clinical trial of GammaPod, a new high-precision, image-guided radiation therapy system specifically designed to treat early-stage breast cancer.
	Tough alcohol policies linked to lower death rates from liver damage (HealthDay)—States with strong alcohol control policies have lower death rates connected to alcohol-related liver damage, a new study finds.
	Vaccines rarely cause life-threatening allergic reactions: CDC (HealthDay)—A U.S. government study has reassuring news for concerned parents—vaccines rarely trigger serious and potentially fatal allergic reactions.
	Pros and cons of annual physical discussed (HealthDay)—The pros and cons of the annual physical are discussed in two perspective pieces published online Oct. 14 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
	Budesonide may be beneficial in extremely preterm infants (HealthDay)—For extremely premature infants, early inhaled budesonide is associated with reduced incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia but may be linked to increased mortality, according to a study published online Oct. 14 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
	Safety-net hospitals have higher costs, worse outcomes (HealthDay)—Intrinsic qualities of safety-net hospitals, rather than patient characteristics, lead to inferior surgical outcomes and increased costs across nine elective surgical procedures, according to a study published online Oct. 14 in JAMA Surgery.
Infection with two species of schistosome does not affect treatment efficacy The parasitic disease schistosomiasis is caused by a trematode flatworm, different species of which can affect either the intestine or the urinary tract. Mixed species (co-) infections are common, and research is needed to understand exactly how infection by both urinary and intestinal parasites affects the course of infection and response to treatment.
	Avoiding neutrophil traps: How an invasive fungus defeats the mammalian immune response Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is a serious disease of immune-compromised individuals and the most common invasive mold infection in humans. Although more than 250 different Aspergillus species are found in nature, and most contribute spores to the air we breathe, over 80% of human disease is caused by one particular culprit called Aspergillus fumigatus. A study published on October 15th in PLOS Pathogens explores what distinguishes this fungus from its relatives and likely makes it so dangerous.
	Stem cell treatment lessens impairments caused by dementia with Lewy bodies Neural stem cells transplanted into damaged brain sites in mice dramatically improved both motor and cognitive impairments associated with dementia with Lewy bodies, according to University of California, Irvine neurobiologists with the Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center and the Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders.
Updated Pap smear test guidelines lead to decreased STI screening, study finds Following the introduction of Cancer Care Ontario's 2012 cervical cancer screening guidelines, female patients were 50 per cent less likely to undergo screening for sexually transmitted infections, a new St. Michael's study has found.
Green public housing may reduce health risks from environmental pollutants Low-income housing residents who live in "green" buildings that are built with eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient features appear to have fewer "sick building" symptoms (SBS) than residents of traditionally constructed low-income housing, according to a new study led by researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Asthma outcomes—hospitalizations, attacks, and missed school days due to asthma—were also significantly lower for children living in the green buildings.
Doctors call on hospitals to oppose the overuse of antibiotics in animal agriculture To help stop the spread of antibiotic resistance, UC San Francisco scientists are urging hospitals around the country to stop buying meat from animals that were given antibiotics for growth promotion.
New gene discovery linked to heightened risk of bowel cancer recurrence and shorter survival Scientists have discovered a new gene linked to an increased risk of bowel cancer recurrence and shortened survival, reveals research in the journal Gut.
New test to predict relapse of testicular cancers Scientists have developed a new test to identify patients who are at risk of suffering a relapse from testicular cancer.
Alcohol and first sexual experience: Risks for young women If a young woman's first sexual experience involves alcohol, she is more likely to be at risk for problems such as sexual assault, and this risk may persist in her future, new research finds.
Suppression of epigenetic brain proteins induces autism-like syndrome Regulation of a family of brain proteins known as bromodomain and extra-terminal domain containing transcription regulators (BETs) plays a key role in normal cognition and behavior, according to a study conducted at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and published advanced online on September 21 and in print October 19 in The Journal of Experimental Medicine.
OHSU releases Mole Mapper ResearchKit app to track potential skin cancers Oregon Health & Science University today released an iPhone app designed to advance melanoma research by giving users the ability to accurately measure and monitor moles, and contribute photos of how their potential trouble spots evolve over time. Called Mole Mapper, the app is free to download from the App Store and was developed using ResearchKit, an open source framework developed by Apple.
	Researchers find weight discrimination is linked to increased risk of mortality In recent years, Florida State University College of Medicine researchers Angelina R. Sutin and Antonio Terracciano have found that people who experience weight discrimination are more likely to become or remain obese, to develop chronic health problems and to have a lower satisfaction with life.
Young Latinos experience discrimination when obtaining health care, research shows Young Latinos living in rural areas say they face discrimination when they obtain health care services - a factor that could contribute to disparities in their rates for obtaining medical care and in their health outcomes, a new study from Oregon State University has found.
	Researchers propose novel solution to HIV prevention Enemas are commonly used by men who have sex with men (MSM) and transwomen (TW) before sexual intercourse. But these groups are vulnerable to HIV and a host of other sexually transmitted infections because enemas—even those that use tap water—can seriously damage the thin tissue lining the rectum, allowing for easier transmission of harmful viruses and bacteria.
Dole recalls some spinach after salmonella found in sample Dole Fresh Vegetables says it's recalling some of its bagged spinach distributed in 13 states as a precaution after a random sample tested positive for salmonella.
Low physical activity responsible for 17 percent of cardiovascular deaths in Argentina SAC 2015 is being held in Buenos Aires from 15 to 17 October 2015. Experts from the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) will present a special programme.
Sierra Leone goes four weeks without new Ebola cases: official Sierra Leone has not recorded a single new case of Ebola in the past four weeks, the authorities said, keeping the west African country on course to being declared free of the killer virus next month.
	A novel and effective hyperthermia method for Schistosomiasis japonica prevention and treatment Schistosomiasis, or bilharzia, is a common parasitic disease which can cause bladder dysfunction and hematuria, and even correlate with bladder cancer and increase HIV susceptibility with urogenital lesions. Globally, it is estimated that more than 240 million people are infected. Within endemic areas, children carry the heaviest burden of infection. Its treatment depends intensively on PZQ, which has replaced other antischistosomal drugs and become a regular first-line therapy. However, given that PZQ has been widely used for almost 40 years, the emergence of schistosomal resistance under drug selection pressure has received much attention. With the increase in schistosomiasis, the serious threat of PZQ resistance requires adequate monitoring of current mass drug administration programs. Thus, novel alternative interventions are in high demand, and in this study, we use hyperthermia to prevent and treat heat-sensitive schistosomiasis.
Croatia legalises marijuana for medical use Croatia allowed the sale and use of marijuana-derived products from Thursday, following a campaign sparked by the detention of a multiple sclerosis patient who grew the plant to ease his pain.
Research leads to change in medicine labelling for salt content University of Dundee research that showed high salt levels in common medicines put patients at increased risk of cardiovascular events has led to a recommendation for a Europe-wide change in labelling legislation for medication.
For children with rare genetic disorder, more extensive epilepsy surgery yields better seizure control Children with the genetic disorder tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) often need epilepsy surgery for severe, uncontrollable seizures. A new study finds that seizure control is improved for patients undergoing more extensive surgery, reports the October issue of Neurosurgery, official journal of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons.
	New guidelines for managing thyroid nodules and differentiated thyroid cancer in adults New, evidence-based recommendations from the American Thyroid Association (ATA) will help guide clinicians in managing patients with thyroid nodules, a common disorder that requires evaluation to distinguish benign nodules from malignancy, interpret biopsy results and molecular marker studies, and initiate risk assessment and cancer screening. The new ATA guidelines, which also focus on the diagnosis and management of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), an increasingly prevalent form of cancer, are published in Thyroid. The guidelines are available free on the Thyroid website.
	Ailing Ebola nurse in UK may be rare case of relapse The World Health Organization says it's possible in rare instances for patients who survived Ebola to develop the lethal disease again, when the virus lingering in the body starts to replicate at high levels.
Is the first commercial gene therapy product within sight? Highly anticipated phase III clinical trial results of Spark Therapeutics's gene therapy to treat visual impairment are due by year-end and could have profound implications for the broader gene therapy field, leading to the first approved product in the U.S. A detailed analysis of the design and use of SPK-RPE65 to treat Leber congenital amaurosis type 2 (LCA2), the possibility of expanding its use to other patient populations, and the anticipated impact of a first commercial gene therapy product is explored in Human Gene Therapy Clinical Development.
	New consensus statements target controversial trial results on intracranial pressure monitoring in severe TBIs Seven consensus statements developed by 23 international opinion leaders in the acute care of patients with severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) provide a clear interpretation of clinical trial results that compared intracranial pressure (ICP)-based management to a treatment protocol guided by CT-imaging and examination without ICP monitoring. Results of the BEST TRIP trial led to ongoing debate over the value of ICP monitoring in sTBI. These new consensus statements, which will help guide practicing physicians and researchers, are published in Journal of Neurotrauma.
Survey: Big growth in Medicaid enrollees in expansion states States that opted to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act saw enrollment increase on average by 18 percent during the first full year of expansion, according to a report released Thursday.
	Is Obama's health overhaul losing steam? The health care law's historic gains in coverage may be leveling off: The Obama administration announced Thursday it expects only a slight overall increase in enrollment next year.
Statins help prevent acute kidney injury through key cellular protein Researchers have discovered that statins can help prevent kidney injury, and they've uncovered how the drugs exert their protective effect. The findings are published in a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN).
Favorable one-year clinical outcomes for catheter-based aortic valve replacement with latest generation of device Penn Medicine has performed more than 1,200 Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacements (TAVR) on patients with severe aortic stenosis. Today, at the Transcatheter Cardiac Therapeutics conference in San Francisco, Howard C. Herrmann, MD, the John Winthrop Bryfogle Professor of Cardiovascular Diseases and director of Penn Medicine's Interventional Cardiology Program in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, will present promising findings from the PARTNER II Trial, which examined one-year clinical outcomes among high-risk or inoperable patients who received TAVR with the latest generation of balloon-expandable (SAPIEN 3) device.
Bristol-Myers, Five Prime expand work on cancer, other drugs Drugmaker Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. is expanding its collaboration with Five Prime Therapeutics Inc., which could receive more than $1.75 billion if they succeed in turning Five Prime's antibody-based drug candidates into approved medicines for cancer and immune-system disorders.
	Border researchers patent new low-cost printer that tracks HIV patients' health University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) researchers have patented a low-cost device that can easily monitor the health of HIV patients living in low-resource settings.

Biology news

	Panoramix: Protein named for comic book hero guides gene-silencing machinery to sites of havoc-causing transposons Organisms from bacteria to humans must defend themselves against parasitic genetic elements called transposons, and the stakes are high. These pieces of DNA, which disrupt genes by jumping around in the genome, can cause so much destruction that cells have dedicated surveillance mechanisms to keep them in check.
	Cyanobacteria can efficiently harvest sunlight with smart antenna Cyanobacteria have an interesting trick to harvest sunlight during light fluctuations. In darkness, the cells prepare for a subsequent increase in light intensity by adopting a larger light-harvesting antenna. Researchers of Wageningen University and the University of Turku, Finland describe the mechanism in a study that appeared online in Nature's Scientific Reports.
	Our ancestors probably didn't get eight hours a night, either They stay up late into the evening, average less than 6.5 hours of sleep and rarely nap.
	Buzzing bees can't resist caffeinated nectar For many people, the best start to the day is a nice, fresh cup of joe. Now, researchers reporting in the Cell Press journal Current Biology on October 15 find that honey bees find caffeinated beverages—er, nectar—irresistible too.
	A sex pheromone assembly line in Manduca sexta Scientists from the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry in Prague, Czech Republic, and the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology in Jena, Germany, studied the pheromone chemistry of moths and discovered a new evolutionary mechanism: A single amino acid residue in desaturases − enzymes that introduce double bonds, of the tobacco hornworm Manduca sexta − switches the desaturase products from mono- and di-unsaturated to tri-unsaturated sex pheromone precursors. The susceptibility of desaturases to major shifts in their specificities, due to minor mutations, may significantly contribute to the divergence in moth pheromone communication and so lead to the evolution of new insect species (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, October 2015).
	Could contaminated land actually be good for trees? The very act of tolerating some forms of soil pollution may give trees an advantage in the natural world, says University of Montreal plant biologists. Their findings were published this week in BMC Plant Biology.
	New Zealand fossils reveal new bird species Flinders University researchers have contributed to the discovery of a new species of shorebird with the discovery of fossils in Central Otago, New Zealand.
	Parasitoid wasps can count hidden competitors through taste sensors Parasitoids are insects that lay their eggs inside other insects, their 'hosts'. New research reveals that egg laying parasitoids are able to distinguish between the presence of none, one or two earlier laid competitive parasitoid eggs inside a host.
	Survey shows average abundance of juvenile striped bass in Virginia waters Preliminary results from an ongoing long-term survey conducted by researchers at William & Mary's Virginia Institute of Marine Science suggest an average number of young-of-the-year striped bass was produced in Virginia tributaries of Chesapeake Bay in 2015. The 2015 year class represents the group of fish hatched this spring that will grow to fishable sizes in three to four years.
	Americans tend to think about wildlife like their ancestors did Researchers from Colorado State University and The Ohio State University have found evidence that we think about wildlife like our ancestors did.
	Climate change requires new conservation models A threatened tree species in Alaska could serve as a model for integrating ecological and social research methods in efforts to safeguard species that are vulnerable to climate change effects and human activity.
	Cute-as-a-button marsupials roam free after breeding success They are tiny, cuddly and the females are known to be quite picky about their mate, but it seems endangered dibblers (Parantechinus apiclis) have put aside their preferences to create 29 individuals who were released back into the wild recently.
How badgers get ahead in game of life New research has shown that badgers, one of Ireland's most iconic wild creatures, roll the dice in their sex lives to gain an all-important edge in the game of life.
Developing the tools to find new generation antibiotics Scientists at the University of York have taken an important step in the search to find new antibiotics that are effective against resistant bacteria.
	Sex and sea turtles: New study reveals impact of climate change, sea level rise Marine turtles deposit their eggs in underground nests where they develop unattended and without parental care. Incubation temperature varies with environmental conditions, including rainfall, sun, shade and sand type, and affects developmental rates, hatch and emergence success, and embryonic sex. Although the loggerhead turtle has been around for more than 60 million years, drought, heavy rainfalls and climatic changes are impacting hatchling sex ratios and influencing future reproduction. Because sea turtles don't have an X or Y chromosome, their sex is defined during development by the incubation environment. Warmer conditions produce females and cooler conditions produce males.
	Study shows new potential indirect effects of humans on water quality A study published today shows that a newly studied class of water contaminants that is known to be toxic and hormone disrupting to marine animals is present likely due in part to indirect effects of human activity. The contaminants are more prevalent in populated areas in the San Francisco Bay, suggesting that human impacts on nutrient input or other changes in water quality may enhance natural production.
	Team opens up a new avenue for combating the deterioration in blood stem cells A research conducted by Juan Méndez, Head of the DNA Replication Group of the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), sheds light on the molecular mechanisms of ageing of the stem cells responsible for regenerating blood cells and opens up a new avenue for reducing their progressive functional decline with age. In the medium or long term, it may also pave the way for the development of therapies to control aplastic anaemia, one of the most common side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy affecting cancer patients undergoing treatment. The study will be published this week in the journal Nature Communications.
Tiny plant shows us how living things cope with big changes A small freshwater plant that has evolved to live in harsh seawater is giving scientists insight into how living things adapt to changes in their environment.
	Ecologists enlist beavers, walmart in wetlands conservation effort As they pull into the parking lot, shoppers preoccupied with the day's errands barely notice the small creek surrounding Logan, Utah's Walmart Supercenter. Yet the waters, shrouded by willows and cattails, teem with beavers, long-time inhabitants partially responsible for the area's name: Cache Valley. In earlier centuries, trappers cached pelts and supplies in the area.
	Hawaii longline fishermen allowed to resume catching tuna Hawaii fishermen are once again being allowed to catch a prized tuna species in the fleet's most productive fishing grounds west of the islands, sparking criticism that they are adding to overfishing.
	Two rare elephants found dead in Indonesia: official Two critically endangered Sumatran elephants have been found dead from suspected poisoning in Indonesia's Aceh province, an official said Thursday.
	Outrage as Danish zoo dissects lion in front of children A Danish zoo on Thursday dissected a lion in front of a group of children, in an educational event condemned as a "macabre spectacle" by animal rights groups but given a thumbs-up by many Danes.
	26 more elephants poisoned in Zimbabwe: official A total of 26 more elephants have been found dead from cyanide poisoning in Zimbabwe, taking the toll to 40 in two months, parks officials said Thursday.
	Dolphins, sea lions found dead on Mexico island Four sea lions, 11 sea turtles and 21 dolphins have mysteriously turned up dead on an island in northwestern Mexico, sparking an investigation, authorities said Thursday.

---

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