Science X Newsletter Monday, Jan 11

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for January 11, 2016:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Microgears rotate when pushed by tiny motors
- One-way light beam can be steered in different directions
- Will computers ever truly understand what we're saying?
- Best of Last Week – New quantum mechanical property, a human carrying drone and training the brain to control emotions
- Scientists investigate change in activity of comet 17P/Holmes
- Two-stage power management system boosts energy-harvesting efficiency
- How photonics can reshape the spectrum of light, and rehabilitate Edison's light bulb along the way
- Unique two-level cathode structure improves battery performance
- New polymer can shape-shift into multiple forms (w/ video)
- DNA 'building blocks' pave the way for improved drug delivery
- Study reveals potential therapy targets for triple-negative breast cancer
- Nearly cheat-proof smartphone knows if you're faking activity
- Researchers closer to better treatment for leading cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea
- Researchers film beautiful flower formations inside artificial cell membranes
- Linking gene expression and DNA methylation in single cells

Astronomy & Space news

	Scientists investigate change in activity of comet 17P/Holmes (Phys.org)—Periodic comet 17P/Holmes is usually a very faint object. However, during its historic outburst in October 2007, when the comet's coma expanded to a diameter greater than that of the sun, it became visible to the naked eye and was temporarily the largest object in our solar system. This event has drawn the attention of astronomers worldwide trying to investigate the comet's uncertain and changing nature. 17P/Holmes has been intensively monitored during its perihelion passage in 2014 and the results of these observations were detailed in a paper published Dec. 29, 2014 on the arXiv pre-print server.
	Last-chance bid to contact space robot Philae Scientists initiated Friday a last-chance manoeuvre to contact a long-silent robot-lab dropped more than a year ago onto the surface of a comet hurtling through our solar system.
	Proof that some galaxies are LIERs You might think that astronomers could easily tell the difference between a black hole and a white dwarf – but nature can be deceptive.
	Largest age map of the Milky Way reveals how our galaxy grew up Proud parents chart the growth of their children, but astronomers from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) have taken on a bigger task: charting the growth of our own Milky Way.
	Hubble sees a supermassive and super-hungry galaxy This NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image shows the spiral galaxy NGC 4845, located over 65 million light-years away in the constellation of Virgo (The Virgin). The galaxy's orientation clearly reveals the galaxy's striking spiral structure: a flat and dust-mottled disk surrounding a bright galactic bulge.
	'X' marks a curious corner on Pluto's icy plains "X" marks the spot of some intriguing surface activity in the latest picture of Pluto returned from NASA's New Horizons spacecraft.
	The formation of carbon-rich molecules in space The space between stars is not empty, but contains an abundance of diffuse material, about 5-10% of the total mass of our galaxy (excluding dark matter). Most of the material is gas, predominantly hydrogen, but with a small and important component in complex carbon-bearing molecules including ethene, benzene, propynal, methanol and other alcohols, cyanides, simple amino acids, and even larger molecules (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and buckyballs) with fifty or more carbon atoms. Some species like the cyanides have relative abundances similar to what is seen in comets in our Solar System, suggesting that the local carbon chemistry is not unique.
	Image: Dark pools on Titan This radar image from the Cassini orbiter shows a thin strip of surface on Saturn's moon Titan. The yellow-hued terrain appears to be peppered with blue-tinted lakes and seas. However, these would not be much fun to splash around in – rather than containing water, they are filled with liquid methane.
	Balloon launch takes student research to great heights On a stunningly clear October morning, a 400-foot-tall NASA high-altitude balloon rose from an airport runway in Fort Sumner, New Mexico and began its ascent into the stratosphere.
The 'eyes' have it: Astronaut vision and ophthalmologic problems explained Just when you think you've seen it all, our eyes look to be victims of a low-gravity environments, too. According to new research published in the January 2016 issue of The FASEB Journal, two significant genetic differences in enzymes that direct the one-carbon pathway of metabolism can affect astronaut vision. Human genetic variation in these enzymes has been implicated in many diseases, including cardiovascular disease, stroke, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and more. The findings in astronauts may help identify issues related to these diseases, and conversely, findings from individuals with these diseases may increase the understanding of the changes in astronauts.
	SpaceX will attempt ocean landing of rocket Jan 17 SpaceX will try again Sunday to land its Falcon 9 rocket on an ocean platform, one month after successfully returning the rocket's first stage to an upright landing on solid ground.
	Astronaut Peake pays tribute to 'Starman' Bowie from space Here he is, sitting in a tin can, far above the world—and saying goodbye to David Bowie.

Technology news

	Will computers ever truly understand what we're saying? From Apple's Siri to Honda's robot Asimo, machines seem to be getting better and better at communicating with humans.
	Palm-sized $79 computer targets emerging-nation needs It is a spherical computer that costs $79, is packed with a fair amount of what the Internet has to offer—and fits in the palm of your hand.
Feds: Non-Jeep car radios aren't vulnerable to hacking U.S. safety regulators have determined that only Fiat Chrysler radios have a security flaw that allowed friendly hackers to take control of a Jeep last year.
	Spotify hit by new $200 million copyright suit Streaming leader Spotify has been hit by a new copyright lawsuit seeking $200 million, in the second such case within weeks.
	Transport of the future takes many shapes at tech show In the future world of mobility, you might be traveling in a car, on a bike or a personal air transporter—with a range of new possibilities raised by connected technology.
	End of the road for rearview mirror? With forward-looking car technology, the rearview mirror as we know it may soon become a thing of the past.
	Battle for digital life takes center stage at CES tech show The battle to be at the center of your digital life has taken on a new dimension amid a proliferation of connected devices.
	This will be the year of flying cameras from Lily So you want to be filmed skiing or doing something else that is challenging and shows off your determination if not skills?
	Tesla software update allows self-parking, limits speed Some Tesla Motors vehicles can park themselves without a driver inside with a software update beamed to customers over the weekend.
	Google counts blessings of rain for testing self-driving sensors Google has been releasing monthly reports about its self-driving car program. Tech sites are talking about Google's self-driving report for December, which has information about how they are working to make sure the cars perform well in less than sunny conditions. The testers need to assess how these cars behave in rain and snow.
	"Robotic falcon" can capture, retrieve renegade drones In January 2015, a Washington, DC, hobbiest accidentally flew his DJI Phantom quadcopter drone over the White House fence and crashed it on the lawn.
	Do you say splinter, spool, spile or spell? English Dialects app tries to guess your regional accent A new app which tries to guess your regional accent based on your pronunciation of 26 words and colloquialisms will help Cambridge academics track the movement and changes to English dialects in the modern era.
	National crash rate for conventional vehicles higher than crash rate of self-driving cars, report shows A new report, "Automated Vehicle Crash Rate Comparison Using Naturalistic Data," performed by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute and commissioned by Google, shows that the crash rates for self-driving cars are lower than the national crash rate of conventional cars.
	Second-generation biofuels can reduce emissions, study says Second-generation biofuel crops like the perennial grasses Miscanthus and switchgrass can efficiently meet emission reduction goals without significantly displacing cropland used for food production, according to a new study. Researchers from the University of Illinois and collaborators published their findings in the inaugural edition of the journal Nature Energy. The researchers call it the most comprehensive study on the subject to date.
	Global learning is needed to save carbon capture and storage from being abandoned Carbon capture and storage, which is considered by many experts as the only realistic way to dramatically reduce carbon emissions in an affordable way, has fallen out of favour with private and public sector funders. Corporations and governments worldwide, including most recently the UK, are abandoning the same technology they championed just a few years ago.
	Technique matters: A different way to make cathodes may mean better batteries Lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide, or NMC, is one of the most promising chemistries for better lithium batteries, especially for electric vehicle applications, but scientists have been struggling to get higher capacity out of them. Now researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) have found that using a different method to make the material can offer substantial improvements.
	New battery shuts down at high temperatures and restarts when it cools Stanford researchers have developed the first lithium-ion battery that shuts down before overheating, then restarts immediately when the temperature cools.
	Nearly cheat-proof smartphone knows if you're faking activity Health care providers and insurance companies are increasingly relying on smartphone and wearable activity trackers to reward active individuals for healthy behavior or to monitor patients.
	33 scientists honored by film academy with Sci-Tech Awards The engineers and inventors whose creations help deliver colorful, stable film images and cutting-edge animation are getting recognition from Oscar.
Waxing nostalgic over vinyl records at CES Turntables turned heads as a renewed love of old-time vinyl records struck a chord at the famously futuristic Consumer Electronics Show.
	Eight takeaways from 2016 Consumer Electronics Show Here are some key highlights from the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show, which concluded Saturday:
	With SUV look, tech touches, Chrysler aims to revive minivan Thirty-three years ago, Chrysler invented the minivan. Now, it's reinventing it—with styling reminiscent of an SUV, high-tech features and a first-ever hybrid version that Chrysler hopes will make minivans popular again.
	Smart firms detect their problems in advance Sensors, data and analyses all help to give advance warning of critical situations developing on production lines. This can reduce downtime by 50 per cent.
Low-resistance tires improve fuel economy Switching to tires with low rolling resistance may save gas and money, says a University of Michigan researcher.
	Electric 'Batmobile' reveals how Chinese have supercar market in their sights Despite not actually having a car in production, the firm Faraday Future has headline-writers gushing about its "Tesla-killing supercar" – an all-electric car that looks like the Batmobile.
	Facebook is no charity, and the 'free' in Free Basics comes at a price Who could possibly be against free internet access? This is the question that Mark Zuckerberg asks in a piece for the Times of India in which he claims Facebook's Free Basics service "protects net neutrality".
	Robotic glove helps patients regain hand movements Patients who have lost their hand functions due to injuries or nerve-related conditions, such as stroke and muscular dystrophy, now have a chance of restoring their hand movements by using a new lightweight and smart rehabilitation device called EsoGlove developed by a research team from the National University of Singapore (NUS).
	Success for cutting edge cultural artefact imaging technique The EU TISCH project has demonstrated that terahertz imaging and spectroscopy can be a viable, non-destructive and non-invasive tool to aid the retrieval and analysis of images of obscured features of artwork. Through a Marie Curie Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, Dr Bianca Jackson from the University of Reading in the UK was able to apply this technique to inspect layers of paint, detect structural defects in ceramics and image the physical structure of paintings and manuscripts.
	What makes a 'smart gun' smart? Every time a toddler accidentally shoots a friend or family member, a teen kills himself via gunshot or a shooter perpetrates an act of mass violence, public discussion circles back to "smart gun" technology. The concept has roots in a 1995 National Institute of Justice (NIJ) study that recommended a technology-based approach to reduce the incidence of police officers killed in gun-grabs by assailants. More recently, President Obama's message on gun violence included specific recommendations on federal actions designed to promote the development and commercialization of electronic gun-safety systems.
Are unlimited data cellphone plans on their way back? AT&T is once again experimenting with offering unlimited data plans to smartphone customers while promoting its DirecTV service, signaling a potential reversal of industry trends toward data caps and charges for big video watchers.
	VW CEO plans to submit emissions fixes to EPA chief Volkswagen's new chief executive plans to present remedies for fixing diesel engines that cheat on emissions tests when he meets with the top U.S. environmental regulator this week.
	NCAR announces powerful new supercomputer for scientific discovery The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) announced today that it has selected its next supercomputer for advancing atmospheric and Earth science, following a competitive open procurement process. The new machine will help scientists lay the groundwork for improved predictions of a range of phenomena, from hour-by-hour risks associated with thunderstorm outbreaks to the timing of the 11-year solar cycle and its potential impacts on GPS and other sensitive technologies.
The Latest: Ford looks to future with new app, stores (Update 7) The latest developments from the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
UN experts warn about British investigatory powers bill U.N. human rights experts say a legislative bill in Britain aimed at increasing powers of authorities to monitor suspects could threaten freedom of expression and association.
	Wheels to Watch: Audi, Volvo, Porsche, show new vehicles (Update) Automakers plan to debut 45 new vehicles at this year's North American International Auto Show in Detroit, which opens to the public Jan. 16. Here are some of the buzz-worthy new cars and trucks at the show.
	If you think drones are a passing fad, better think again If you're used to thinking of drones as a passing fad, last week's CES gadget show should give you second thoughts.
Powerful replacement in works for climate-modeling computer One of the most powerful computers in the world dedicated to climate change, weather and other earth science research will be replaced in 2017 by an even faster machine, officials announced Monday.
	Interactive robot to promote rehabilitation for children with special needs NAO, a humanoid robot described by his creators as a "little character with a unique combination of hardware and software," can read your moods, recognize your family members, and learn your preferences in music, movies, and food.
	War of words among China ride-share rivals The controversial boss of ride-sharing app Uber said Monday its biggest Chinese rival is spending as much as $80 million a week or $4 billion a year on subsidies, intensifying a war of words between the bitter competitors.
Governments urged to support scrambling digital data An open letter posted on Monday by Internet freedom advocates called on governments to back tough encryption of digital data to keep people's information private.
ChemChina buys Germany's KraussMaffei for $1 billion China's biggest chemical company says it has bought a German maker of machinery to process rubber and plastic for $1 billion (925 million euros) in the biggest Chinese investment to date in Germany.
	UK's Cameron taunted after opposition Twitter feed hacked The Twitter account of the leader of Britain's main opposition party appeared to have been hacked Sunday, judging by bizarre tweets including one calling Prime Minister David Cameron a "pie".
Robot innovation automates short production runs The quick-control system developed by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd slashes substantially the programming time for industrial robots, enabling the use of automation also in short production runs of single-item products. This innovation will boost Finland's competitiveness as a manufacturing economy.
	Storms bring record-breaking waves to Falmouth Bay The New Year storms that battered the British coastline brought record-breaking waves to the normally sheltered Falmouth Bay, it has been revealed.
Intelligent sensors that map out the presence of chemical pollutants in the sea Developed at the Polytechnic University of Valencia, the sensors not only detect pollutants in very small quantities, but also work to establish the exact size and location of the polluted area.
	Green campaigners back Italian giant's tilt to renewable energy Italian energy giant Enel was Monday putting the finishing touches to a corporate restructure designed to put renewables at the core of the company's strategy in a move hailed by erstwhile critic Greenpeace.

Medicine & Health news

	Secondhand smoke hits almost half of teens who don't smoke Even though fewer U.S. teens are smoking, secondhand smoke remains a big problem for them, a government study found.
	Research shows loss of memory, recovery after high-fat diet In a first-of-its-kind study, UT Dallas researchers in the Aging & Memory Research Laboratory have determined that while short-term exposure to a high-fat diet can cause learning and memory to fade, that memory can recover over a longer period of time.
	Older adults are not as good at detecting sarcasm as their younger counterparts Older adults are not as good at detecting sarcasm as their younger counterparts according to research from the University of Aberdeen.
	New therapy aids bid to beat organ failure caused by pancreatitis Patients suffering organ failure caused by a common inflammatory condition could be helped by a new therapy.
	Research raises concerns over long-term use of chromium diet pills Concerns have been raised over the long-term use of nutritional supplements containing chromium, after an Australian research team found the supplement is partially converted into a carcinogenic form when it enters cells.
	Researchers discover three glaucoma-related genes An analysis funded by the National Eye Institute (NEI), part of the National Institutes of Health, has identified three genes that contribute to the most common type of glaucoma. The study increases the total number of such genes to 15.
	Linking gene expression and DNA methylation in single cells A new method by researchers in the UK and Belgium makes it possible to study the epigenome and transcriptome of a single cell at the same time. The protocol, published in Nature Methods, helps scientists pinpoint the relationship between changes in DNA methylation and gene expression.
	Researchers closer to better treatment for leading cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have obtained the crystal structure of a toxin from the bacterium Clostridium difficile ("C. diff")—the leading cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea in the United States.
	Study reveals potential therapy targets for triple-negative breast cancer In cancer, cell signaling pathways are the critical chain of events that can either quash or quicken disease progression.
	Brain's immune cells key to maintaining blood-brain barrier New research shows that the cells responsible for protecting the brain from infection and inflammation are also responsible for repairing the system of defenses that separates the brain from the rest of the body. These findings have significant clinical implications because certain cardiovascular drugs could possibly impede the brain's ability to repair itself after a stroke or other injury.
	Childhood leukemias forged by different evolutionary forces than in older adults For half a century, cancer researchers have struggled with a confusing paradox: If cancer is caused by the occurrence and accumulation of cancer-causing (oncogenic) mutations over time, young children should get less cancer as they have fewer mutations. Why then do young children have a higher incidence of leukemia than teenagers and young adults?
	Life-extending hormone bolsters the body's immune function A hormone that extends lifespan in mice by 40% is produced by specialized cells in the thymus gland, according to a new study by Yale School of Medicine researchers. The team also found that increasing the levels of this hormone, called FGF21, protects against the loss of immune function that comes with age.
	Too much sugar? There's an enzyme for that Guilt-free sugary treats may be on the horizon. Scientists at the University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre (CRCHUM) have discovered an enzyme that can stop the toxic effects of sugar in various organs of the body. This enzyme, named glycerol 3-phosphate phosphatase (G3PP), plays a central role in controlling glucose and fat utilization. Led by Drs Marc Prentki and Murthy Madiraju, The research team has demonstrated that G3PP is able to detoxify excess sugar from the cells, and their discovery should lead to the development of therapeutics for obesity and type 2 diabetes. The findings were published today in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
	New research may prove brain prepares multiple actions before acting The brain prepares multiple available movements before deciding between them, according to findings from Queen's researchers Jason Gallivan and Randy Flanagan.
	The way you sound affects your mood Researchers have created a digital audio platform that can modify theemotional tone of people's voices while they are talking, to make themsound happier, sadder or more fearful. New results show that whilelistening to their altered voices, participants' emotional statechange in accordance with the new emotion.
	New study challenges 'mid-life crisis' theory For half a century, the accepted research on happiness has shown our lives on a U-shaped curve, punctuated by a low point that we've come to know as the "mid-life crisis". A number of studies have claimed over the years that happiness declines for most from the early 20s to middle age (40 to 60). Today, the "mid-life crisis" is a generally accepted phenomenon, fodder for sitcoms and the subject of advertising propaganda the world over - but does it actually exist?
	New coronary congenital disease classification aids identification of secondary defects A new classification of coronary congenital diseases is set to help surgeons identify secondary defects in the operating theatre. The scheme is outlined in a novel European Society of Cardiology (ESC) position paper published today in Cardiovascular Research. Clinical cardiologists will also know what to look for on cardiovascular images.
	Survey finds 73 percent unaware of stroke symptoms Up to three hours after a person experiences the first symptom of a stroke is often referred to as the "golden window." That's the period of time doctors say is crucial for patients to get to a hospital to receive medical care in order to restore blood flow to the brain and minimize or reverse damage.
What's in store for survivors of childhood cancers that affect vision? Little is known about the long-term health of survivors of childhood cancers that affect vision, but two new studies provide valuable insights that could impact patient care and follow-up. The findings are published early online in Cancer, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society.
Study finds higher fat variation of DASH diet lowers blood pressure, triglycerides The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) dietary pattern, which is high in fruits, vegetables and low fat dairy foods, significantly lowers blood pressure as well as low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. In a study to be published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers at the UCSF Benioff's Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute (CHORI) found that a higher fat DASH diet lowered blood pressure to the same extent as the DASH diet, but also reduced triglycerides and did not significantly raise LDL-C.
	Preschoolers who eat their veggies just as likely to eat junk food Public-health experts have long expected that kids who eat more carrots and apples are less likely to eat a lot of candy and fries, but new research is calling that into question.
	Could a cholesterol-lowering drug be a potential treatment for Parkinson's? A clinical trial using cholesterol-lowering treatment Simvastatin in people living with Parkinson's is getting underway in centres across the country—with the hope that it could become one of a number of effective treatments available to treat Parkinson's.
	Brains of compulsive video gamers may be 'wired' differently (HealthDay)—The brains of compulsive video game players may be "wired" differently, new research suggests.
	FDA approves device for diabetic foot ulcers (HealthDay)—The Integra Omnigraft Dermal Regeneration Matrix has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat diabetic foot ulcers.
	Extended-release niacin lowers ApoB-48 concentration in T2DM (HealthDay)—For patients with type 2 diabetes, a statin plus extended-release niacin (ERN) lowers apolipoprotein B-48 (apoB-48) concentration compared to a statin alone, according to a study published online Dec. 18 in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.
	Financial obstacles only partly to blame for low CPAP acceptance (HealthDay)—For patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea under a copayment health care system, obstacles other than finances are primarily responsible for reduced purchase of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices, according to a study published in the January issue of the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.
	Cardiomyopathy etiology impacts catheter ablation outcomes (HealthDay)—For patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and left ventricular systolic dysfunction, cardiomyopathy etiology impacts long term outcomes of catheter ablation, according to a study published online Dec. 28 in the Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology.
Research reveals advice given on internet health forums may not be as dangerous as often assumed New research carried out at Royal Holloway, University of London, suggests that medical advice given on internet health forums may be of better quality than people tend to assume.
Anti-inflammatory biomaterial coating prevents rejection of medical implants From screws and plates for broken bones to metal hips and dental implants, every day thousands of people undergo surgeries to implant medical devices in the body.
	Study proves that context influences injection drug use among black individuals According to a new study by researchers at Emory's Rollins School of Public Health, contextual factors affect patterns of drug use, particularly the prevalence of injection drug use (IDU) among black adolescents and adults.
Conditions that promote proliferation of blood-forming cells in fetal liver A study directed by Paul Frenette, M.D., is featured on the cover of today's print edition of Science. In experiments involving mice, Dr. Frenette and his colleagues have solved a mystery surrounding the development of hematopoietic stem cells in utero. Dr. Frenette is professor of medicine and of cell biology and chair and director of Einstein's Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research.
	Screening for 'changed gene' could prevent asthma attacks and improve treatment Screening children with asthma for a specific genetic change could help prevent asthma attacks and lead to more effective treatments, according to scientists at the University of Aberdeen.
Can diet prevent cancer? Almost everyone makes New Year's resolutions.
	Legal barriers to adolescent participation in HIV, STI research need to be removed Parental permission for adolescent participation in research on HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is not required ethically and may undermine public health interests, according to a new paper by law and public health experts at Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy and Baylor College of Medicine.
	Fixing the alcohol tax system could reduce harms, new study shows Increasing the cost of the cheapest alcohol could reduce an individual's consumption by as many as 11.5 standard drinks a week for low-income wine consumers, a new study has shown.
	Evaluating ADHD medicines to reduce highway crashes University of Virginia School of Medicine researchers are determining whether an extended-release medication for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can improve highway safety and help prevent accidents – especially during the hours when drivers' risk of crashing is greatest.
The art of being mentally healthy Researchers at The University of Western Australia have found that engagement in the arts for enjoyment, entertainment or as a hobby, for two or more hours a week, is associated with good mental wellbeing.
	Study examines perceptions of status and attractiveness in photographs As if it weren't hard enough. Being assessed and judged all the time, on our looks, our deeds, our works, the contents of our refrigerators. We are also judged by the company we keep, and in ways that leave me pessimistic about the prospects for gender equity.
Study looks at association of infant gut microbiome, delivery mode and feeding The composition of the gut microbiome in infants at six weeks of age appears to be associated with the delivery method by which they were born and how they were fed, according to an article published online by JAMA Pediatrics.
Exercise associated with prevention of low back pain A review of medical literature suggests that exercise, alone or in combination with education, may reduce the risk of low back pain, according to an article published online by JAMA Internal Medicine.
	Early weight loss in Parkinson's disease patients may signify more serious form of disease A study led by a Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) investigator finds evidence of an association between weight loss in patients with early Parkinson disease and more rapid disease progression. While weight loss is common in Parkinson's patients, results of the study - which is being released online prior to publication in the March issue of JAMA Neurology - could suggest that weight loss early in the course of the disease signifies a more serious form of the neurodegenerative disorder.
Even after anti-androgen therapy, docetaxel remains useful in prostate cancer A study presented at the 2016 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium shows that 40 percent of patients with castration-resistant metastatic prostate cancer (mCRPC) treated with docetaxel following abiraterone had at least 50 percent reduction in prostate specific antigen (PSA), demonstrating the activity of this drug sequencing.
	High folic acid intake in aged mice causes a lowered immune response Previous studies have shown an association between high folic acid intake and a reduction in the immune system defenses needed to fight viral infections and cancer. In a new study in mice published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, scientists at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University (HNRCA) set out to determine if excess folic acid intake caused adverse changes in the immune system.
	Transcendental Meditation may reduce PTSD symptoms, medication use in active-duty personnel Regular practice of Transcendental Meditation enables some active duty service members battling post-traumatic stress disorder to reduce or even eliminate their psychotropic medication and get better control of their often-debilitating symptoms, researchers report in the journal Military Medicine.
Proton pump inhibitors associated with risk of chronic kidney disease Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which are commonly used drugs to reduce acid in the stomach, appear to be associated with an increased risk of chronic kidney disease but more research is needed to determine whether PPI use causes kidney damage, according to an article published online by JAMA Internal Medicine.
One hookah tobacco smoking session delivers 25 times the tar of a single cigarette As cigarette smoking rates fall, more people are smoking tobacco from hookahs—communal pipes that enable users to draw tobacco smoke through water. A new meta-analysis led by the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine shows that hookah smokers are inhaling a large load of toxicants.
Decades-long quest to beat river blindness edges towards vaccine The world's first vaccine for a disease that causes misery for millions in Africa could be tested within five years.
A G-Protein-Coupled Receptor may be a drug target for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease New research published in the January 2016 issue of The FASEB Journal suggests that the G-protein-coupled receptor 119 (GPR119) could be a viable treatment target for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. This receptor has already been identified as a drug target for diabetes and obesity, and this report raises hopes that compounds that target GPR119 for diabetes or obesity might also work for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
	Potential heart disorder cause, treatment identified A novel therapy tested by University of Guelph scientists for treating a fatal heart disorder in dogs might ultimately help in diagnosing and treating heart disease in humans.
Researchers suggest playing American Football may be a risk factor for hypertension As National Football League playoff games are underway, a new article published in the "Hypotheses" section of the January 2016 issue of The FASEB Journal, suggests that the toll the sport takes on players' bodies extends beyond head trauma and damage to limbs and joints. The trauma and damage associated with football participation may also be linked to elevations in blood pressure through immune system activation and inflammation.
	Researchers find shared molecular response to tobacco smoke and indoor air pollution Exposure to certain household air pollutants may cause some of the same molecular changes as smoking cigarettes.
Magic mold: Food preservative kills cancer cells, superbugs Nisin, a naturally occurring food preservative that grows on dairy products, delivers a one-two punch to two of medicine's most lethal maladies: cancer and deadly, antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Painkiller tapped to become future cancer-killer Diclofenac, a common painkiller, has significant anti-cancer properties, according to researchers from the Repurposing Drugs in Oncology project.
Creating 'medical homes' involves significant costs, study finds Substantial costs are involved with transforming primary care practices into "medical homes," which may pose a financial challenge for small and independent practices wanting to make the shift, according to a new RAND Corporation study.
Deadly bacteria more prevalent than previously thought: study An often deadly and difficult to treat bacterial disease is much more prevalent than previously thought and kills tens of thousands of people worldwide each year, researchers said Monday.
	Blood test that monitors dead cancer cell DNA better at tracking spread of melanoma Physicians treating patients with metastatic melanoma—one of the most aggressive forms of skin cancer—may soon have a superior tool in their efforts to closely track the disease.
Exercise reduces heart disease risk in depressed patients Symptoms of mild to minimal depression were associated with early indicators of heart disease in a research letter published today in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, but the study found regular exercise seems to reduce the adverse cardiovascular consequences of depression.
	Sugar-sweetened drinks linked to increased visceral fat Drinking sugar-sweetened beverages every day was associated with an increase in a particular type of body fat that may affect diabetes and heart disease risk, according to new research in the American Heart Association's journal Circulation.
Even small reductions in kidney function may damage heart, blood vessels Even small reductions in kidney function are associated with heart and blood vessel damage, according to new research in the American Heart Association's journal Hypertension.
	Biomarker can predict risk of preterm birth from first half of pregnancy Offering a standard biomarker test earlier in pregnancy could potentially help doctors to better identify women at risk of giving birth prematurely, thus enabling health services to focus treatments on women at highest risk, according to a new study led by King's College London.
	New analyses confirms biennial mammography starting at age 50 is optimal for average women New and comprehensive analyses from six independent research teams examining breast cancer screening intervals have produced a unanimous finding—that mammography screening every two years for average risk women ages 50 to 74 offers a favorable balance of benefits to harm.
Most top-selling, over-the-counter sexual treatments unproven, some could be harmful From horny goat weed to ginseng and maca, over-the-counter dietary supplements sold to improve male sexual health contain a wide variety of "natural" ingredients. Researchers from Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center reviewed the scientific evidence for the most common ingredients to determine if they are effective - and most importantly - safe. The results are published online ahead of print in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.
Researchers reveal predictive staircase to leukemia McMaster University researchers have taken a giant leap in identifying the early stages of a deadly cancer and predicting how it will develop in individuals.
	People with depression may not be getting all the information they're looking for More than 15 million American adults seek treatment for depression each year. However, a first-of-its-kind study by researchers at The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice reveals an eye-opening disconnect between the priorities of patients and clinicians when it comes to the information needed to make decisions about treatment options.
	Task force: Mammograms an option at 40, do more good at 50 Mammograms do the most good later in life, a government task force declared Monday in recommending that women get one every other year starting at age 50. It said 40-somethings should make their own choice after weighing the pros and cons.
	Can essential oils help children with autism Historically, essential oils have been used medicinally throughout the world for everything from skin care to cancer treatments. In the modern era, such oils are more commonly used with massages and aromatherapy for their calming and soothing effects.
	First complete genome sequence of the Zika virus Having confirmed the first cases of infection in Suriname then in French Guiana, the Institut Pasteur in French Guiana has sequenced the complete genome of the Zika virus, which is responsible for an unprecedented epidemic currently sweeping through the tropical regions of the Americas. Published in The Lancet medical journal, the analysis of this sequence shows almost complete homology with the strains responsible for the epidemic that occurred in the Pacific in 2013 and 2014.
	More research needed on evaluation of dense breasts A systematic review of the scientific literature on dense breasts by researchers at UC Davis and other institutions has found that determinations of breast density can be unreliable and that as many as 19 percent of women are re-categorized as dense rather than non-dense or vice versa from one mammogram to the next. The study also found that supplemental diagnostic screenings for women with dense breasts find additional breast cancers but also greatly increase false positive results.
	Simple refinements could reduce radiation risk from digital screening mammography In a comprehensive modeling study, researchers from UC Davis and other institutions have found that breast cancer screening with digital mammography poses only a small risk of radiation-induced breast cancer for most women. However, the research showed increased risk for women with large breasts or breast implants, who must often receive extra screening views, increasing their radiation exposure.
	Quick screening method identifies promising anti-Ebola drugs A quick screening method has been used for the first time in a standard open laboratory to identify and test promising anti-Ebola drugs. This approach increases the possibility of finding new therapies faster.
	Scientists identify protein interaction that defines an aggressive brain tumor subtype Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the University of Würzburg in Germany have identified a protein interaction that is a hallmark of an aggressive subtype of medulloblastoma and that may provide a new treatment strategy. The research appears today in the scientific journal Cancer Cell.
Are workarounds ethical in health care systems? "There is more than one 'clean hands' problem in health care work," writes Nancy Berlinger, a Hastings Center research scholar and a specialist in health care ethics, at the opening of her new book, Are Workarounds Ethical? Managing Moral Problems in Health Care Systems, published by Oxford University Press.
	Dosing errors occur frequently in patients with renal failure (HealthDay)—Patients on hemodialysis often have drug orders that are not adherent to renal dosing recommendations, according to a study published online Dec. 18 in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics.
	Attending physician workload linked to teaching effectiveness (HealthDay)—Attending physician workload is associated with lower teaching effectiveness, according to a study published online Jan. 6 in the Journal of Hospital Medicine.
	Reduction in proximal, distal leg muscle strength in T2DM (HealthDay)—For patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), proximal and distal leg muscle strength is reduced, and proximal but not distal muscle volume is also reduced, according to a study published online Jan. 6 in Diabetes Care.
	Patient, doctor panels develop similar RA recommendations (HealthDay)—A voting panel composed of patients with rheumatoid arthritis develops recommendations that are very similar to those of a physician-dominated panel when there is evidence warranting moderate or high confidence, according to research published in the January issue of Arthritis Care & Research.
	Polyhydramnios with normal U/S linked to adverse outcomes (HealthDay)—Polyhydramnios with normal prenatal detailed ultrasound examination is associated with increased risk for adverse outcomes, including fetal malformations, genetic syndromes, neurologic disorders, and developmental delay, according to a study published online Jan. 11 in Pediatrics.
	Breast implants linked to chronic pulmonary silicone embolism (HealthDay)—Chronic pulmonary silicone embolism related to saline breast implants has been detailed in a letter to the editor published in the January issue of the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.
	PF4/Heparin antibodies predict mortality in HIT (HealthDay)—Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is infrequent in patients undergoing cardiac surgery, but is associated with increased 30-day mortality, according to a study published in the Jan. 15 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
	Measure of outpatient colonoscopy quality developed (HealthDay)—A risk-adjusted measure of outpatient colonoscopy quality can help inform patient choices and assist in quality-improvement efforts, according to research published in the January issue of Gastroenterology.
Cholera kills 10 Somalis in world's largest refugee camp: UN At least 10 people have died and over 1,000 fallen sick with cholera in an outbreak among Somali refugees in the world's largest refugee camp in Kenya, UN officials said Saturday.
Shire buys US pharma firm Baxalta for $32bn Dublin-based pharmaceutical group Shire said Monday that it has agreed to buy US peer Baxalta for $32 billion (29 billion euros) to create a global biotech giant targeting rare diseases.
Video: Growing the flu in a laboratory Early last year researchers at McMaster and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York announced that a universal flu vaccine could be on the horizon.
When sex becomes impossible due to burning pain in and around the vulva Women with vestibulodynia feel that they're missing out on the wonderful sex that the media boasts of. And they're ashamed of being poor sexual partners.
Swine flu kills three in Armenia since Jan 1: ministry Three people have died of swine flu in Armenia since the start of the year, the country's health ministry said Monday, after an outbreak in neighbouring Iran left more than 100 dead.
Five percent of Ontario residents account for majority of health care costs Five percent of Ontarians account for 65% of provincial health care costs for individual care, with the top 1% accounting for one-third of these costs, according to new research published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
	Backyard chickens harbor greater diversity of ticks, mites, and lice than farm-raised chickens Backyard chickens may live a sweeter life than chickens on commercial poultry farms, but roaming green grass and scratching real dirt exposes these birds to a different suite of parasites than those found in most commercial facilities. A paper in the latest issue of the Journal of Medical Entomology by University of California, Riverside scientists Amy C. Murillo and Bradley A. Mullens reveals what's crawling on backyard birds, and the answer will likely make chicken fanciers itch.
High court won't hear appeal over $124M drug penalty The Supreme Court won't hear an appeal from a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary assessed more than $124 million in penalties for deceptive marketing of an anti-psychotic drug.
Stage increase in lung cancer more frequent after open vs. closed thoracic surgery An increase in the stage of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) due to cancer positive lymph node (LN) discovery was more common following open chest surgery for lung lobe removal of early stage lung cancer compared to the closed chest procedure known as video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS).
	Medicare expands coordinated care for 8.9M beneficiaries Medicare is expanding a major experiment that strives to keep seniors healthier by coordinating basic medical care to prevent common problems that often lead to hospitalization, the agency said on Monday.
Texas pharmacy agrees to stop distributing adulterated drugs A Dallas-area pharmacy facing government allegations of making contaminated drugs in unsanitary conditions has agreed to a court order that it not distribute adulterated drugs in interstate commerce.
	Obamacare enrollment initiative targets latinos (HealthDay)—With only three weeks left in the latest Affordable Care Act enrollment period, U.S. health officials and community advocates are ramping up efforts to sign up difficult-to-reach Latino Americans.

Biology news

	Novel algorithm better assembles DNA sequences and detects genetic variation Researchers at BYU have developed a new method for human genome assembly and inadvertently discovered a new way to identify elusive markers for several common genetic disorders.
	Puff adders, the ultimate ambush predator Puff Adders are the ultimate ambush predator.
	Squeezing cells into stem cells EPFL scientists have developed a new method that turns cells into stem cells by "squeezing" them. The method paves the way for large-scale production of stem cells for medical purposes.
	Once thought unstoppable, bacterial superweapon falters with too many targets In 2006, scientists discovered that some of the world's most common disease-causing bacteria wield a uniquely powerful weapon that can kill targeted cells—both other bacterial cells and membrane-enclosed eukaryotic cells—by injecting them with toxic proteins.
	Conflict among honey bee genes supports theory of altruism Using modern genetic approaches, a team of researchers has provided strong support for the long-standing, but hotly debated, evolutionary theory of kin selection, which suggests that altruistic behavior occurs as a way to pass genes to the next generation.
	Great white shark dies after days in Japan aquarium A great white shark which was captured and exhibited in a Japanese aquarium, one of only a few such sharks to ever be displayed in this way, has died just after three days, the facility said Saturday.
	Fluoro orange the new red light symbol for randy beetles THE frisky male jewel beetles (Julidomorpha saundersi), which made headlines in the 1980s for attempting to mate with discarded beer stubbies, seem to be at it again—only this time they are targeting fluoro-coloured safety equipment.
Mothers' eating keeps populations steady The eating habits of mothers may be key to keeping wild animal populations steady, a study suggests.
	New anti-inflammatory agents can control inflammatory responses to fungal infection The most frequent fungal threat to humans, Candida albicans, is a common cause oral and genital infection. The fungal infections are often worsened by overwhelming inflammatory responses in the body and cause high mortality among risk groups. Umeå University doctoral student Ava Hosseinzadeh has discovered two novel anti-inflammatory agents, an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory molecule, which could be used to control the hyper-inflammatory responses to the fungal infection.
	Robotic vehicles offer a new tool in study of shark behavior The dramatic video footage of a great white shark attacking the "REMUS SharkCam" autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) brought some of the highest ratings to Discovery Channel's Shark Week 2014 and went viral on the Internet.
	Rapid, low cost laser-based technique for biomass analysis described in Industrial Biotechnology Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is emerging as a fast, cost-efficient method for identifying the total amount and specific compounds that comprise the inorganic component of biomass. Accurate and reliable analysis of these minerals, such as aluminum, calcium, iron, and silicon is essential, as this "ash" can cause problems when converting biomass to hydrocarbon biofuels, as described in a study published in Industrial Biotechnology.
	Dog domestication may have increased harmful genetic changes, biologists report The domestication of dogs may have inadvertently caused harmful genetic changes, a UCLA-led study suggests.
Digital imagery useful for pyrethrum analysis Pyrethrum is a perennial, herbaceous plant grown mainly for the production of pyrethrins. Pyrethrins have insecticidal properties and are commonly used in natural and organic products as a pest control agent. Determining pyrethrin yield, which is measured by flower biomass and pyrethrin ester content of the biomass, has traditionally been accomplished by manually harvesting and counting pyrethrum flowers. These methods are quite labor-intensive, can be destructive to the sampled area, and may cause damage to surrounding crops.

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