Science X Newsletter Friday, Mar 18

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for March 18, 2016:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Most eccentric planet ever known flashes astronomers with reflected light
- Gut microbiome of mother found to impact immunity of mice pups
- An algorithm that figures out if a tweet was sent while drinking
- Single brain cells reveal genes controlling formation, development
- Chemists develop an ultra-sensitive test for cancers, HIV
- Researchers study potential mercury methylation in two California rivers
- Sperm found to swim in groups when in viscoelastic fluids
- The science of watching paint dry
- Scientists develop new technique for imaging cells and tissues under the skin
- Dissecting the animal diet, past and present
- Using chemical oscillation to better understand patterns in brain and heart systems
- Study shows precision medicine's potential to define the genetics of autoimmune disease
- Small birds' vision: Not so sharp but superfast
- China's forest recovery shows hope for mitigating global climate change
- For virtual reality creators, motion sickness a real issue

Astronomy & Space news

	Most eccentric planet ever known flashes astronomers with reflected light Led by San Francisco State University astronomer Stephen Kane, a team of researchers has spotted an extrasolar planet about 117 light-years from earth that boasts the most eccentric orbit yet seen.
	Grandpa astronaut to break Scott Kelly's space record A grandfather of three is poised to blast into space and the record books on Friday, becoming the American astronaut who has spent the longest time in space, NASA said.
	Astronomers discover colossal 'super spiral' galaxies A strange new kind of galactic beast has been spotted in the cosmic wilderness. Dubbed "super spirals," these unprecedented galaxies dwarf our own spiral galaxy, the Milky Way, and compete in size and brightness with the largest galaxies in the universe.
	A 'tail' of two comets Two comets that will safely fly past Earth later this month may have more in common than their intriguingly similar orbits. They may be twins of a sort.
	Science papers reveal new aspects of Pluto and its moons A year ago, Pluto was just a bright speck in the cameras of NASA's approaching New Horizons spacecraft, not much different than its appearances in telescopes since Clyde Tombaugh discovered the then-ninth planet in 1930.
	Picture of Pluto further refined by months of New Horizons data When the New Horizons spacecraft made its flyby of Pluto on July 14, 2015, there was worldwide celebration that we'd finally gotten our first detailed look at this completely new type of planet in the outer reaches of our solar system.
	Image: ExoMars spotted in space en route to the Red Planet On 14 March, the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter and Schiaparelli lander were lofted into orbit by a Proton rocket from Baikonur in Kazakhstan, starting a seven-month journey to the Red Planet.
	252P LINEAR brightens, and a close pass for BA14 PANSTARRS Ready for the next big 'Comet of the Century?' Yeah, us too. Cometary apparitions are the big unknown in backyard astronomy, an eternal uncertainty in the clockwork goings-on of the universe.

Technology news

	An algorithm that figures out if a tweet was sent while drinking (Tech Xplore)—A team of researchers with the University of Rochester has developed a machine-learning algorithm that is able to determine if a tweet was sent while someone was under the influence of alcohol. The team also describes in their paper uploaded to the pre-press server arXiv, how they used some of the same data to improve location identification of user tweets.
	Twitter an awkward child as it turns 10 As Twitter marks its 10th birthday Monday, it is somewhat of an awkward child—having become a powerful communication tool but still struggling to win users and reach profitability.
	Domino's to trial robots for pizza delivery Fast food giant Domino's is to trial pizza delivery robots in New Zealand, it said Friday, describing the hi-tech, driverless units as a world first.
	Water-wise two-week shower use showcased by Tokyo startup (Tech Xplore)—Water. A Tokyo-based company places water top of mind. One of its promotional videos is actually a promotion of the importance of thinking more carefully about water resources. It shows raindrops falling on ocean waves.
	Cryptographic system allows users to decide how their data is accessed Most people with smartphones use a range of applications that collect personal information and store it on Internet-connected servers—and from their desktop or laptop computers, they connect to Web services that do the same. Some use still other Internet-connected devices, such as thermostats or fitness monitors, that also store personal data online.
	For virtual reality creators, motion sickness a real issue If the controls and movement in a traditional video game aren't natural, it's merely annoying to players. For designers of virtual reality experiences, the same mistake could make users sick.
	Spotify reaches royalty deal with music publishers Spotify, the leader in the booming streaming industry, on Thursday reached a settlement to improve royalty payments to US music publishers as the company faces potentially costly lawsuits.
	Bangladesh Bank heist shows weak spots in finance safeguards (Update) The laundering through the Philippines of $81 million stolen by hackers from a U.S. Federal Reserve account is adding to pressures on the Southeast Asian country to fix loopholes in its financial regime.
Denmark's Bang & Olufsen joins forces with LG to produce TVs Denmark's high-end electronics company Bang & Olufsen is joining forces with South Korea's LG Electronics to make televisions that make use of the latest screen technology.
	Envisioning supercomputers of the future Last year, President Obama announced the National Strategic Computing Initiative (NSCI), an executive order to increase research, development and deployment of high performance computing (HPC) in the United States, with the the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy and the Department of Defense as the lead agencies.
Google's Go victory shows AI thinking can be unpredictable, and that's a concern Humans have been taking a beating from computers lately. The 4-1 defeat of Go grandmaster Lee Se-Dol by Google's AlphaGo artificial intelligence (AI) is only the latest in a string of pursuits in which technology has triumphed over humanity.
	Introducing Alfie—the prototype robot helping elderly people stay independent for longer A robot being developed to help elderly people stay independent and active for longer has been named by residents of three local care homes where it is going to be tested.
	How do you mine Bitcoin – and is it still worth it? Most people are bamboozled by Bitcoin. It's shrouded in jargon and geek speak. It borrows physical metaphors from all over the place adding to the confusion. It talks of "coins", but there are no physical coins. You'll hear about "miners", although there is no physical digging or drilling. You'll also hear made-up words such as "blockchain". People shake their heads in confusion. The Bitcoin community itself doesn't even know for sure who invented Bitcoin – I even met one of those who claims to be the big founder.
	Teaching computers to be more creative than humans Associate Professor Julian Togelius works at the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and games—a largely unexplored juncture that he has shown can be the site of visionary and mind-expanding research. Could games provide a better AI test bed than robots, which—despite the way they excite public imagination—can be slow, unwieldy and expensive? According to him, the answer is resoundingly yes. Could an artificially intelligent operating system exhibit more originality than a human game designer? Togelius thinks so. "I'm teaching computers to be more creative than humans," he says.
	New technology for land mine detection In Colombia, large areas are teeming with mines that are almost impossible to detect with traditional methods. In collaboration with partners from South America, engineers at the German Ruhr-Universität Bochum and Technical University Ilmenau are developing a new mine clearance technology, based on ground penetrating radar. In the long run, they are aiming at creating a handheld device that will detect different mine types on rough terrain without fail and which can be used in the same way as metal detectors. The Ruhr-Universität's science magazine Rubin has published a detailed report on the project.
	Team develops integrated iWheelchair system The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has developed an intelligent system called "iWheelchair", integrating a series of advanced PolyU technologies from its Interdisciplinary Division of Biomedical Engineering (BME) and Institute of Textiles and Clothing (ITC). With a tablet computer as the centralized operation platform, the system integrates a variety of functions such as environment control, as well as safety, health and hygiene monitoring with automated alert, which better caters for the needs of users and reduce the workload of their caregivers. This wheelchair is unique in integrating the above functions into one platform in the market.
Google glass meets organs-on-chips Investigators from Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) have developed hardware and software to remotely monitor and control devices that mimic the human physiological system. Devices known as organs-on-chips allow researchers to test drug compounds and predict physiological responses with high accuracy in a laboratory setting. But monitoring the results of such experiments from a conventional desktop computer has several limitations, especially when results must be monitored over the course of hours, days or even weeks.
Federal appeals court deciding municipal broadband expansion A federal appeals court will decide whether to overturn a Federal Communications Commission ruling allowing city-owned broadband services to expand into areas overlooked by commercial providers.
	Zuckerberg's run in Beijing's toxic stirs Chinese public A photo of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg jogging Friday morning in downtown Beijing's notorious smog has prompted a torrent of amusing comments and some mockery on Chinese social media.
	Low-cost, contactless and accurate 3D fingerprint identification system Traditional fingerprint identification by pressing or rolling of finger against the hard surface often results in partial or degraded images due to improper finger placement, skin deformation, slippages, or smearing. Therefore touchless 3D finger imaging can provide more accurate personal identification as rich information is available from 3D fingerprint images.
	Scientific breakthrough protects computers from cosmic radiation Researchers from France and Spain have developed a range of new technologies to make electronic systems tolerant to cosmic rays. These advances will allow electronic systems in aeronautical and space applications to become increasingly sensitive without compromising safety or reliability.
Flexible, cost-effective and efficient LED lighting panels and solar cells The EU TREASORES project has created flexible lighting foils produced in a roll-to-roll method that could hold the potential for the large scale production of low-cost LED lighting panels and solar cells.
	Fujitsu technology uses a single camera to enable a panoramic understanding of remote field sites Fujitsu Laboratories today announced that it has developed a technology that generates synthesized 3D panoramic screens to fully understand conditions throughout a worksite for on-site maintenance, inspection and other work. Using time series images taken from a worker-side camera, when combined with augmented reality (AR) technology, remotely supporting operators can use that image to provide precise, omnidirectional instructions to field workers. In recent years, a shortage of skilled workers in Japan has put a spotlight on technology that enables skilled workers to provide remote work support to less-experienced field workers.
	Storied Czech glass blowing industry embraces reinvention The Czech glass making industry, with a history dating to the 12th century, is embracing new technologies and marketing strategies to help it rebound from the recent years' global economic downturn.

Medicine & Health news

	Gut microbiome of mother found to impact immunity of mice pups (Medical Xpress)—A team of researchers from Switzerland and Germany has found that the gut microbiome of a pregnant mouse can have an impact on the development of the immune system in the pups she delivers. In their paper published in the journal Science, the team describes their experiments with introducing bacteria into the gut of pregnant mice and what they found by doing so.
	Single brain cells reveal genes controlling formation, development In one of the first studies to 'read' the genetic activity inside individual brain cells, University of Wisconsin-Madison neuroscientist Xinyu Zhao has identified the genetic machinery that causes maturation in a young nerve cell. The cells under study came from the hippocampus, a memory-related structure that is the only place in a mammal's brain where new neurons can form throughout life.
	Your brain might be hard-wired for altruism It's an age-old quandary: Are we born "noble savages" whose best intentions are corrupted by civilization, as the 18th century Swiss philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau contended? Or are we fundamentally selfish brutes who need civilization to rein in our base impulses, as the 17th century English philosopher Thomas Hobbes argued?
	Scientists discover neural mechanisms in mouse brains that indicate that we actively forget as we learn They say that once you've learned to ride a bicycle, you never forget how to do it. But new research suggests that while learning, the brain is actively trying to forget. The study, by scientists at EMBL and University Pablo Olavide in Sevilla, Spain, is published today in Nature Communications.
	Recreating the web of blood vessels that keep human tissue alive For years, one of the largest obstacles facing the field of regenerative medicine – the science of growing new human parts from scratch – was the need to create a circulatory system to support new tissues and organs as they grew. Now two researchers from North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are being recognized for creating technology to make the customized blood vessels necessary to support tissue generation.
	The anatomy of pain Grimacing, we flinch when we see someone accidentally hit their thumb with a hammer. But is it really pain we feel? Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences in Leipzig and other institutions have now proposed a new theory that describes pain as a multi-layered gradual event which consists of specific pain components, such as a burning sensation in the hand, and more general components, such as negative emotions. A comparison of the brain activation patterns during both experiences could clarify which components the empathic response shares with real pain.
	Study shows precision medicine's potential to define the genetics of autoimmune disease Demonstrating the potential of precision medicine, an international study based at UT Southwestern Medical Center used next-generation DNA sequencing technology to identify more than 1,000 gene variants that affect susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Common treatment of TB in advanced HIV patients doesn't save more lives In a report on the so-called REMEMBER (Reducing Early Mortality and Early Morbidity by Empiric Tuberculosis Treatment) study—a 10-nation, randomized clinical trial of adult outpatients—investigators concluded that there was no added benefit of using four drugs for TB over just using one drug, isoniazid, to save lives in people with advanced HIV/AIDS.
Study shows bariatric surgery better than intensive lifestyle and drug interventions at reversing diabetes New research shows that bariatric surgery (also known as obesity surgery) is much more effective than an intensive lifestyle/medication intervention at reversing type 2 diabetes in patients with only mild-to-moderate obesity.
A better surveillance system for tracking police homicides Official counts of homicides by police seriously undercount incidents, according to a study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, but a relatively new national data system, currently in use in 32 states, could be a crucial tool for gathering more comprehensive information, say the researchers.
	Paracetamol 'not clinically effective' in treating osteoarthritis pain or improving physical function In a large-scale analysis of pain-relief medication for osteoarthritis, researchers found that paracetamol does not meet the minimum standard of clinical effectiveness in reducing pain or improving physical function in patients with knee and hip osteoarthritis. Although paracetamol was slightly better than placebo, researchers conclude that, taken on its own, paracetamol has no role in the treatment of patients with osteoarthritis, irrespective of dose.
	'Slow thinking' a conversation stopper for people with Parkinson's Cognitive impairment could affect the conversational ability of people with Parkinson's more than physical speech problems - according to research from the University of East Anglia (UEA) and the University of Aberdeen.
	Scientists pinpoint molecular signal that drives and enables spinal cord repair Researchers from King's College London and the University of Oxford have identified a molecular signal, known as 'neuregulin-1", which drives and enables the spinal cord's natural capacity for repair after injury.
	New role of environment in multiple sclerosis revealed Environmental factors may be playing a much greater role in the onset of multiple sclerosis (MS) than previously realised, according to early research led by Queen Mary University of London and Barts Health NHS Trust.
	Rescue inhaler study: New approach increases mastery of life-saving technique A rescue inhaler can be a lifesaver during an asthma or COPD flareup, but using a rescue inhaler is complicated and misuse is common, putting patients' lives at risk. An education strategy, called teach-to-goal, may help patients use their inhalers properly during these critical times, according to research published online ahead of print in the American Thoracic Society journal Annals of the American Thoracic Society.
	Lesbian, gay, bisexual Canadians report higher rates of mental health issues Gay, lesbian and bisexual Canadians experience more mood and anxiety disorders than other Canadians, and they are more likely to turn to heavy drinking.
New research gathers more evidence for innovative stroke treatment New research has provided more evidence that an innovative treatment strategy may help prevent brain swelling and death in stroke patients. J. Marc Simard, professor of neurosurgery at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, along with colleagues at Yale University and Massachusetts General Hospital, found that Cirara, an investigational drug, powerfully reduced brain swelling and death in patients who had suffered a type of large stroke called malignant infarction, which normally carries a high mortality rate.
	Psychology study finds cortisol level is a key predictor of lower-birthweight babies Before women even become pregnant, their biological profile may predict a lower-birthweight baby, a UCLA-led research team reports.
	True dangers of head trauma often misunderstood When actor Will Smith plays a forensic pathologist who discovers neurological deterioration similar to Alzheimer's disease in the brain of a former NFL football player, the world pays attention.
Autoimmune attack underlying kidney failure Interstitial nephritis, a common cause of kidney failure, has a complex and largely unknown pathogenesis. In a new published paper in The Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN), a team of researchers led from Karolinska Institutet shows how interstitial nephritis can develop from an autoimmune attack on the kidney's collecting duct.
	Researchers work to stop sudden cardiac death among young athletes March Madness: It's a time of buzzer-beaters and bracket-busters, seed debates and the Sweet 16, as the 68-team NCAA men's basketball tournament hijacks our lives over a three-week stretch known as the Big Dance.
Patient survives stage IV, inoperable throat cancer in clinical trial It took a white lie to get David Polisini, 79, to a doctor in 2004, after months of being unable to swallow.
Older women lose much of their advantage in living active lives In a reversal of a long-standing pattern, a new study shows that older women in the U.S. have lost ground relative to older men in the number of years they can expect to live free from disabilities past age 65.
Combined screening could detect early schizophrenia Researchers in Malaysia have tested a combination of screening tools to assess their validity for the early diagnosis of schizophrenia.
Natural resilience to major life stressors is not as common as thought When someone goes through a rough period in their life, say a divorce or losing their job, the common thought has been that this is a test of the person's natural resilience or ability to bounce back. "Give the person time to heal" has been the common mantra. This oftentimes meant that when these people struggled they would be left to deal with their situation largely on their own.
Hundreds of lives lost due to variations in common heart procedure Despite the successful adoption of modern techniques, new research from the Universities of Keele and Manchester suggests more can be done to reduce fatalities following a non-surgical treatment for blocked arteries.
	Scientists uncover new pathway for research in brain diseases The purpose of certain proteins in the brain, known as ion channels, is to regulate how nerve cells fire, or send information. But a Yale-led research team has uncovered a previously unknown function for a particular channel that, when mutated, causes a rare brain disease. Their discovery opens a new avenue for brain research.
Black patients more likely to suffer with ER ambulance diversion African American patients suffering heart conditions are more likely than white patients to have their ambulance diverted to another hospital due to overcrowding in their nearest emergency room, according to a new UC San Francisco study.
	Mindful eating, meditation may lead to better metabolic health A diet and exercise program that included mindfulness training resulted in participants having lower metabolic risk factors compared to those who underwent the same program without the training, according to a study led by researchers at UC San Francisco.
Review article uncovers clues to the causes, risk factors for and prevention of drowning deaths For centuries, drowning has been one of the most significant causes of accidental death in the world. Drowning deaths disproportionately affect low- and middle-income countries: An estimated 375,000 people drown each year worldwide compared with 3,500 annual drowning deaths in the U.S. Despite its prevalence, the physiological cause of drowning remains unclear. Now, an international team of researchers have released a review article combing through scientific studies on the physiology of drowning to better understand the bodily processes that cause drowning fatalities. The article, published in the journal Physiology, may help to determine the type of future physiological studies that could contribute to the prevention, treatment and forensic investigation of drowning incidents.
The brain may show signs of aging earlier than old age A new study published in Physiological Genomics suggests that the brain shows signs of aging earlier than old age. The study found that the microglia cells—the immune cells of the brain—in middle-aged mice already showed altered activity seen in microglia from older mice.
	Emerging nutraceuticals for aging individuals When it comes to aging, the focus is not just on living longer. Quality of life is equally as important. Baby Boomers and the aging population want a long life full of experiences and the energy and vitality to enjoy them.
	Discovery of the characteristics of subcortical regions in schizophrenia A Japanese research group found that patients with schizophrenia demonstrated a specific leftward volumetric asymmetry for the globus pallidus, one of the basal ganglia of the brain. The basal ganglia are involved in motivation and volition, the impairment of which may result in difficulties in social life. This finding is expected to help elucidate the underlying pathological mechanisms of schizophrenia. Moreover, it will be a step toward the development of therapeutic strategies for schizophrenia.
Antibiotics as the primary treatment for mild appendicitis Using antibiotics as the primary treatment for mild appendicitis does not increase the risk for complications at least in the first year. But other considerations must also be taken into account, say researchers.
Researcher discusses issues with 'vaccine hesitancy' Every now and then, a virus emerges that captures the world's attention and sparks a rush to create a vaccine to prevent its further spread: think H1N1, Ebola, and now Zika, a flu-like disease with seemingly mild effects but which is currently under investigation for possible links to serious birth defects in cases where pregnant women were infected with the virus.
Acceptability of alternative drugs and strategies to prevent malaria in pregnancy in Kenya Researchers at LSTM, working with colleagues at the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) USA, the Kenya Medical Research Institute, and from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, have completed a study to assess the acceptability among pregnant women and health providers in Kenya of a new drug as an alternative to the standard drug used to prevent malaria in pregnancy.
New effects of ketamine abuse uncovered Research conducted by scientists at the University of York has revealed how recreational ketamine abuse damages the bladder.
	Psychologist says there are no rules of attraction when it comes to meeting your match Some time ago, I found myself single again (shock, horror!) and decided to get back into the world of dating. One thing that struck me very early on in my forays was that everyone had an opinion about "what worked" in terms of dating. But too often those opinions were based on anecdotes, assumptions about human behaviour I knew to be wrong, or – worse – pure misogyny.
	Acne treatment—antibiotics don't need to kill bacteria to clear up your skin Acne is one of the most common dermatologic diseases, affecting 40-50 million people each year in the United States. While best known as a bothersome part of puberty, affecting approximately 85 percent of young people, acne can persist (or even start) in adulthood, causing emotional and physical distress and sometimes permanent disfigurement.
No clear path to government-lowered drug prices Most Americans support it. Virtually all other developed countries already do it. And the two leading presidential candidates on both sides of the aisle agree: the federal government should lower drug prices.
	New gene identified as cause, early indicator of breast cancer When mutated, a gene known for its ability to repair DNA, appears to instead cause breast cancer, scientists report.
Why are women more prone to knee injuries than men? Researchers from The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston have found that women who take the birth control pill, which lessen and stabilize estrogen levels, were less likely to suffer serious knee injuries. The findings are currently available in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, the official journal of the American College of Sports Medicine.
Guinea govt says two people have died from Ebola (Update) Two people from the same family have died from Ebola in Guinea, the government said Thursday, as the WHO declared a flare-up of the virus in neighbouring Sierra Leone over.
	In fight against Zika, Brazil battles neglect, cash crunch In May, as the first cases of the Zika virus were being detected in Brazil, Rossandra Oliveira stopped receiving a critical tool she needed to do her job: insecticide.
	New study supports link between Omega-3 supplementation and reduction in depression According to the World Health Organization, depression is a major cause of disease burden worldwide, affecting an estimated 350 million people. According to the National Institutes of Mental Health, in 2014, an estimated 15.7 million adults aged 18 or older in the United States had at least one major depressive episode in the past year.
	New report reveals hundreds still dying in detention An ongoing culture of secrecy, poor access to specialist mental health services and a lack of high quality independent investigations has contributed to hundreds of non-natural deaths in detention, according to a new report by the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
Evidence-practice gap for sealant application: Results from a dental PBRN Today at the 45th Annual Meeting & Exhibition of the American Association for Dental Research, researcher Naoki Kakudate, Kyushu Dental University, Kyushu Dental University, Japan, will present a study titled "Evidence-Practice Gap for Sealant Application: Results from a Dental PBRN." The AADR Annual Meeting is being held in conjunction with the 40th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association for Dental Research.
New biotechnology to inhibit microRNA activity and novel applications Today at the 45th Annual Meeting & Exhibition of the American Association for Dental Research, researcher Brad Amendt, University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA, will present a study titled "New Biotechnology to Inhibit MicroRNA Activity and Novel Applications for Craniofacial and Dental Research." The AADR Annual Meeting is being held in conjunction with the 40th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association for Dental Research.
Advances in big data: Implications for dental research A symposium titled "Advances in Big Data: Implications for Dental Research" will take place today at the 45th Annual Meeting & Exhibition of the American Association for Dental Research. The AADR Annual Meeting is being held in conjunction with the 40th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association for Dental Research.
Identification of rare ADCY9 mutations and non-syndromic oral clefts in Puerto Ricans Today at the 45th Annual Meeting & Exhibition of the American Association for Dental Research, researcher Carmen Buxó-Martínez, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, will present a study titled "Identification of Rare ADCY9 Mutations and Non-syndromic Oral Clefts in Puerto Ricans." The AADR Annual Meeting is being held in conjunction with the 40th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association for Dental Research.
Longevity of restorative treatments in pediatric patients: EBD in the era of EHR Today at the 45th Annual Meeting & Exhibition of the American Association for Dental Research, researcher Natalia Chalmers, National Institutes of Health National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIH/NIDCR), DentaQuest Institute, Bethesda, Md., USA, will present a study titled "Longevity of Restorative Treatments in Pediatric Patients: EBD in the Era of EHR." The AADR Annual Meeting is being held in conjunction with the 40th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association for Dental Research.
Microbiome associated with severe caries in Canadian First Nations children Today at the 45th Annual Meeting & Exhibition of the American Association for Dental Research, researcher Robert Schroth, University of Manitoba, Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada, will present a study titled "Microbiome Associated With Severe Caries in Canadian First Nations Children." The AADR Annual Meeting is being held in conjunction with the 40th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association for Dental Research.
Video: Grad student develops new approach to breast restoration Each year more than 230,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States and approximately 180,000 undergo mastectomies. Nicholas Pashos, 28, a PhD candidate in the Tulane University interdisciplinary bioinnovation program, is working on a project that he hopes will one day transform breast reconstruction surgery.
	Societal factors influence packaging Three societal factors—social responsibility, health, and virtual decision making—are influencing food packaging decisions. Formal connections that link the value of post-consumer packaging to more sustainable package design exist, but in their absence, package design anthropocentrism (social influence and worldview) and guides that explain package sustainability to consumers are needed. The existence of more personalized and customized diets has resulted in an increase in package complexity. In addition, online purchasing of packaged foods has created a new array of opportunities.
Global food security—encouraging healthier eating and balanced diets From an early age, children are taught about the importance of eating fruit and vegetables, but a quick glance at most nutrition-based news stories will paint a very different picture, a rise of junk food, fast-food consumption and obesity.
Dabrafenib / trametinib: Considerable added benefit for men with advanced melanoma Dabrafenib (trade name: Tafinlar) has been approved since 2013 for the treatment of adults with advanced, i.e. metastatic or unresectable, melanoma with a BRAF V600 mutation. Since September 2015, dabrafenib has been approved for this therapeutic indication also in combination with trametinib (trade name: Mekinist). In the end of 2015, the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) determined in two dossier assessments: There is an indication of a major added benefit for women and of a non-quantifiable added benefit for men for this combination therapy.
Cobimetinib in melanoma with BRAF V600 mutation: Indication of minor added benefit Cobimetinib (trade name: Cotellic) has been approved since November 2015 in combination with vemurafenib for the treatment of adults with advanced, i.e. metastatic or unresectable, melanoma with a BRAF V600 mutation. The Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) therefore commissioned the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) to examine whether cobimetinib in combination with vemurafenib has an added benefit over the appropriate comparator therapy vemurafenib alone.
Addendum on regorafenib in metastatic colorectal cancer: Added benefit no longer proven Regorafenib (trade name: Stivarga) has been approved since 2013 for adults with metastatic colorectal cancer in whom previous treatments are no longer effective or for whom these alternatives are not an option. In two previous benefit assessments conducted in early 2014 and in early 2016, the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) found a hint of a minor added benefit of the drug over the appropriate comparator therapy: A survival advantage was accompanied by more frequent severe side events. However, IQWiG had also criticised in these assessments that the manufacturer had not adequately analysed the data on patient-reported outcomes (symptoms and quality of life).
Secukinumab in ankylosing spondylitis or psoriatic arthritis: Added benefit not proven Secukinumab (trade name: Cosentyx) has been approved since November 2015 for adults with active ankylosing spondylitis or psoriatic arthritis. For patients with plaque psoriasis, the drug already underwent an early benefit assessment according to the Act on the Reform of the Market for Medicinal Products (AMNOG) in 2015.
WHO sends specialists in response to Guinea Ebola flare-up The World Health Organization deployed specialists to southeast Guinea on Friday after two new Ebola cases were confirmed.
Educating community research facilitators helps protect integrity of study results Maria Barraza has been a Community Health Worker (CHW) for 25 years, providing health services and facilitating research studies in underserved areas where disparities are most prevalent. In her role, Barraza contributes to the development and implementation of community and clinic-based research studies.
Pathologists identify new potential target in ovarian serous cancer Moffitt Cancer Center researchers discovered that patients with ovarian serous cancer and an overexpression of the HER4 protein are less likely to respond to chemotherapy and have a lower rate of survival. That's according to a study Carolina Strosberg, M.D., is presenting this week at the 2016 United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology (USCAP) Annual Conference in Seattle, Washington.
Norway set to allow gender change without medical intervention Norway's healthcare ministry on Friday proposed allowing people to legally change their gender without the need for any surgery, hormone treatment or sterilisation, a move hailed by Amnesty International.
General Mills to label products with GMOs ahead of Vt. law General Mills says it will start labeling products across the country that contain genetically modified ingredients to comply with a law that is set to go into effect in Vermont.

Biology news

	Baby monkeys grow faster to avoid being killed by adult males Natural selection has shaped the ways in which babies grow in different species, including the rate or speed with which they develop.
	Small birds' vision: Not so sharp but superfast One may expect a creature that darts around its habitat to be capable of perceiving rapid changes as well. Yet birds are famed more for their good visual acuity. Joint research by Uppsala University, Stockholm University and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) now shows that, in small passerines (perching birds) in the wild, vision is considerably faster than in any other vertebrates—and more than twice as fast as ours.
	Dissecting the animal diet, past and present Researchers at Yale and the Smithsonian Institution say it's time to settle a very old food fight.
Sweden asks EU to stop American lobster invasion Sweden has asked the European Union for help to stop an invasion of American lobsters, saying they could wipe out their European cousins with deadly diseases.
	How serious is inbreeding in show dogs? A German shepherd with a sloping back that was awarded best of breed brought the dog show Crufts in for this year's annual bout of criticism. Viewers took to social media to accuse the owner of animal cruelty by suggesting that its unusual shape meant the dog must suffer health problems brought on by inbreeding – something the owner denied. This is a common criticism levelled at dog breeders, but how accurate is it and how widespread is the issue?
	Bunbury dolphins shown to be skilled seafood chefs New findings by Murdoch University researchers have shown that local dolphins are the hottest seafood chefs in the south-west.
	'Wild-ID' tracking technology highlights vulnerability of wildebeest migration Recent efforts to combat habitat fragmentation and poaching have temporarily stabilized wildebeest populations in northern Tanzania, but this iconic migrating species of the African savannah remains vulnerable, a Dartmouth College-led team has found using an unusual wildlife photo-identification tracking technology developed at Dartmouth.
Spelling mutations and evolutionary advantages DNA codes carrying instructions for creating a protein can sometimes be 'spelt' differently, although they specify the exact same sequence information to create that protein. Scientists from the National Centre for Biological Sciences have now shown that such mutations, called 'synonymous' mutations can have large effects on the evolution of organisms.

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