Science X Newsletter Friday, Mar 4

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for March 4, 2016:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Physicists find extreme violation of local realism in quantum hypergraph states
- Paper on PLOS ONE creates a firestorm by referencing "the Creator"
- Researchers find male frogs infected with fungus have more enticing calls
- Intel reportedly eyes AR headset development
- R2D2's next assignment: hospital orderly
- Researchers target specific protein associated with poor survival and treatment
- Star Trek's vision becomes reality
- Big and small numbers are processed in different sides of the brain
- Surfing onTitan would be best in summer
- New insights reported about the Angelina Jolie gene
- Building a better mouse trap, from the atoms up
- A proposed superconductivity theory receives exclusive experimental confirmation
- Cosmochemists find evidence for unstable heavy element at solar system formation
- Zika virus infects human neural stem cells
- Fungal pathogen sheds gene silencing machinery and becomes more dangerous

Astronomy & Space news

	NASA's science during the March 2016 total solar eclipse As the moon slowly covers the face of the sun on the morning of March 9, 2016, in Indonesia, a team of NASA scientists will be anxiously awaiting the start of totality – because at that moment, their countdown clock begins. They plan to take 59 several-second exposures of the sun in just over three minutes, capturing data on the innermost parts of the sun's volatile, superhot atmosphere – a region we can only observe during total solar eclipses when the sun's overwhelmingly bright face is completely blocked by the moon.
	Surfing onTitan would be best in summer Space is mostly vast and empty. So whenever we notice something like ripples on a lake, on the frozen moon of a gas giant, we take notice.
	Cosmochemists find evidence for unstable heavy element at solar system formation University of Chicago scientists have discovered evidence in a meteorite that a rare element, curium, was present during the formation of the solar system. This finding ends a 35-year-old debate on the possible presence of curium in the early solar system, and plays a crucial role in reassessing models of stellar evolution and synthesis of elements in stars. Details of the discovery appear in the March 4 edition of Science Advances.
	Image: New Mars global composite from Mars Express webcam photos Mars Express, ESA's deep-space probe orbiting the Red Planet, carries a Visual Monitoring Camera that originally provided simple, low-resolution photos of the separation of the Beagle lander. It was then switched off, its prime assignment fulfilled.
	Encapsulating ExoMars With less than two weeks until the launch of ExoMars 2016, preparations are proceeding well and the spacecraft composite has now been encapsulated within the launcher fairing at the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
	Versatile instrument to scout for Kuiper Belt objects At the Palomar Observatory near San Diego, astronomers are busy tinkering with a high-tech instrument that could discover a variety of objects both far from Earth and closer to home.
	A partial solar eclipse for northern and western Australia This Wednesday, March 9, the sun and moon will meet together in the daytime sky.
Sore—but no taller—astronaut Scott Kelly adjusts to Earth US astronaut Scott Kelly said Friday he is battling fatigue and super-sensitive skin, but is back to his normal height after a year spent testing the effects of long-term spaceflight ahead of a future mission to Mars.

Technology news

	Intel reportedly eyes AR headset development Intel may be set to explore an AR headset. Citing the source of the information as "people briefed on the company's plans," The Wall Street Journal had the story, saying "the chip giant is developing a wearable headset to deliver augmented-reality experiences."
	Mutations, DNA damage seen in Fukushima forests: Greenpeace Conservation group Greenpeace warned on Friday that the environmental impact of the Fukushima nuclear crisis five years ago on nearby forests is just beginning to be seen and will remain a source of contamination for years to come.
	Light-up skin stretches boundaries of robotics A health care robot that displays a patient's temperature and pulse, and even reacts to a patient's mood.
	R2D2's next assignment: hospital orderly Meet the Tugs - a team of 27 robots now zooming around the hallways of the new University of California, San Francisco hospital at Mission Bay. They look a bit like R2D2, dragging a platform around behind them. Instead of drones, think of them more as little flatbed trucks, ferrying carts of stuff around the vast hospital complex - food, linens, medications, medical waste and garbage. And they do it more efficiently than humans.
College hackers compete to shine spotlight on cybersecurity Students from MIT and Britain's University of Cambridge will spend the weekend hacking one another's computers, with the blessing of their national leaders.
	Study finds three key factors to crowdfunding success For entrepreneurs using crowdfunding to bring new products to market, high quality photos and video, previous crowdfunding success and positive comments from backers are the keys to a successful campaign, according to new research from the University at Buffalo School of Management.
Research shines light into darker side of gaming industry In its early days, the video game industry was perceived as a fun, high-tech business where young creative types were 'paid to play games all day.' Then, in 2004, in an open letter to Electronic Arts (EA) executives, a disgruntled partner of an EA employee brought the darker side of the industry to light in an anonymous blog post. Her exposé told of seven-day, 80-hour work weeks, uncompensated overtime and a management mantra of 'put-up, shut-up or leave.'
	Google car crash—who's to blame when a driverless car has an accident? Luckily no one was injured when one of Google's self-driving cars recently crashed itself into a bus as it pulled out at a junction. The car was only travelling at 2mph, after all. The company has admitted it bore "some responsibility" for the accident because the test driver (and presumably the car) thought the bus would slow down to allow the car to pull out.
UN warns of 'Pandora's Box' in FBI Apple case An FBI demand that Apple unlock an iPhone risks setting a dangerous precedent that could have a chilling effect on human rights, the United Nations rights chief warned Friday.
	Facebook to pay more taxes in Britain Facebook on Friday said it would declare advertising revenue from its top British clients in Britain instead of Ireland, where it has its European headquarters, meaning it will have to pay more tax.
Meeting the increasing performance demands at millimetre-wave frequencies Future radar imaging systems and 5G communication systems will generate improved resolution and provide higher data-transmission rates when operated at higher frequencies, but at the cost of increased power consumption. To reduce power consumption, increase performance, and lower costs, the European project INSIGHT (Integration of III-V Nanowire Semiconductors for Next Generation High Performance CMOS SOC Technologies) is aiming at developing III-V CMOS (complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor) technology. The six partners, including universities, research institutes and one company, are committed to establishing a manufacturable III-V CMOS technology on Si substrates, to reduce costs and to save scarce materials.
First code of conduct for the use of virtual reality established Researchers from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) in Germany have prepared a list of ethical concerns that might arise with the use of virtual reality (VR) by researchers and the general public. Along with this list, Dr. Michael Madary and Professor Thomas Metzinger have produced concrete recommendations for minimizing the risks. According to Madary and Metzinger in their article in Frontiers in Robotics and AI, additional focused research is urgently needed. They are especially concerned about the possibility of unanticipated consequences for the psychological states and self-images of users who are able to inhabit a virtual environment almost as if it is the real world.
New research uncovers the 'myths' behind technological solutions to aviation's climate change crisis A new study published in the journal Transportation Research Part D has explored the ways in which new technologies have been 'hyped' by the aviation industry and media as the key to sustainable air travel, perpetuating a culture of non-accountability for increased emissions and subsequent environmental damage.
	Airlines slow to adopt safety technologies after MH370 Airline-safety standards are changing in the wake of the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 nearly two years ago, but the head of one of the world's top air crash investigation agencies says it's not happening fast enough.
Feds: Pennsylvania man pirated movie audio at drive-in A man accused of pirating audio of the Cameron Diaz movie "Sex Tape" at a Pennsylvania drive-in was arraigned Thursday on charges stemming from what prosecutors said was part of a broader conspiracy to sell bootleg movies online.
	Amazon confirms local data encryption gone on Fire tablets Amazon has confirmed it removed the ability to encrypt locally stored data on its Fire tablets, saying that customers weren't using the service.
	Uber gives Pakistan drivers classes to deter sex harassment Uber is teaching its drivers in Pakistan how not to sexually harass women, a spokeswoman said Friday, after the popular transport app launched in the conservative country where women are often hassled on public transport.
	Construction of Sacramento Kings arena using drone monitoring system developed at Illinois A University of Illinois team has developed predictive visual data analytics tools, called "Flying Superintendent" to automate and streamline today's time-consuming practices for construction progress monitoring. Their award-winning solution utilizes both images and videos taken with camera drones and four-dimensional Building Information Modeling (BIM) to quickly identify and visually communicate the actual and potential performance problems during execution of construction projects via smartphones and tablets to project participants, on and off site.
	Google tweaks 'right to be forgotten' in EU searches Google said Friday it would implement changes in how it applies the so-called right to be forgotten for online searches made in Europe.
	Japan 'robo' dogs eyed for quake rescue missions Rescue dog Gonta, outfitted with a GPS-enabled backpack but driven by his own innate sense of smell, jumps onto a pile of collapsed rubble to find buried survivors.
	Chinese propaganda machine places hopes in cartoon rappers What's the world's largest propaganda organ to do when it finds itself struggling to get TV drama-obsessed young Chinese to pay attention to the latest raft of Communist Party slogans?
Innovative technological and digital solutions for the European creative industries The EU-funded CRE-AM project, which held its final conference in Brussels on 23 February 2016, has built a vital bridge between the European creative industries and the ICT sector to foster new technologies, tools and policy initiatives.
S.African gold firms to pay $32 million to sick ex-miners Former goldmine workers have won a $32 million settlement from South African mining giants Anglo American and AngloGold Ashanti over respiratory diseases contracted underground, lawyers said Friday.
Women file lawsuit arguing New York tampon tax is unlawful A group of women has filed a lawsuit accusing New York of unlawfully taxing tampons and other feminine hygiene products.
HP Enterprise shares surge 14 percent after strong report Hewlett Packard Enterprise's stock rose nearly 14 percent on Friday, a day after the commercial technology vendor reported solid earnings in its first quarter as an independent company.

Medicine & Health news

	High daily coffee consumption may lower MS risk Drinking a lot of coffee every day—more than 900 ml (30 fluid ounces) or around six cups—is linked to a reduced risk of multiple sclerosis (MS), finds research published online in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry.
	Gene required for the control of behavioral state may be linked to autism In a study of worms, MIT neuroscientists have discovered a gene that plays a critical role in controlling the switch between alternative behavioral states, which for humans include hunger and fullness, or sleep and wakefulness.
	Rare eye condition gives scientists a chance to improve brain scan studies There is an elephant in the room each time scientists conduct a brain scan study.
	Tool enables doctors to ID babies at risk of obesity, study says Newborns who are heavier than average and gain weight rapidly in the first six months of life face a heightened chance of obesity by the time they are old enough for kindergarten, according to a study published on March 4, 2016, in The Journal of Pediatrics.
	By cloning mouse neurons, scientists find brain cells with 100+ unique mutations In a new study published today in the journal Neuron, scientists from The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) are the first to sequence the complete genomes of individual neurons and to produce live mice carrying neuronal genomes in all of their cells.
	Study offers clearest picture yet of how HIV defeats a cellular defender A new study offers the first atomic-scale view of an interaction between the HIV capsid - the protein coat that shepherds HIV into the nucleus of human cells - and a host protein known as cyclophilin A. This interaction is key to HIV infection, researchers say.
	Big and small numbers are processed in different sides of the brain Small numbers are processed in the right side of the brain, while large numbers are processed in the left side of the brain, new research suggests.
	Researchers target specific protein associated with poor survival and treatment Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly aggressive brain tumor with low survival rates, with newly diagnosed patients surviving a median of 14 months and recurrent patients surviving a median of only 3 to 9 months. New therapeutic targets and biomarkers for prognosis are urgently needed. Moffitt Cancer Center researchers recently reported that expression of the protein BIRC3 is associated with poor survival and recurrent disease in GBM patients; and therefore may be a good therapeutic target.
	New insights reported about the Angelina Jolie gene Scientists from the Cancer Therapy & Research Center (CTRC) in San Antonio today (March 4) published work that provides deeper insight into how the Angelina Jolie gene, BRCA1, functions in normal breast tissue and how its loss results in breast cancer.
	Zika virus infects human neural stem cells The Zika virus infects a type of neural stem cell that gives rise to the brain's cerebral cortex, Johns Hopkins and Florida State researchers report March 4 in Cell Stem Cell. On laboratory dishes, these stem cells were found to be havens for viral reproduction, resulting in cell death and/or disruption of cell growth. While this study does not prove the direct link between Zika and microcephaly, it does pinpoint where the virus may be doing the most damage.
What influences 11-year-olds to drink? Around one in seven 11 years olds in the UK have had at least one drink of alcohol, according to a study published in the open access journal BMC Public Health, which analyzed data from 10,498 children aged 11.
	Cannabis use in psychotic patients linked to 50 percent higher hospital admission risk Cannabis use among people experiencing a first episode of psychotic illness is linked to a 50 per cent heightened risk of hospital admission—including compulsory detention (sectioning)—as well as longer inpatient stay, reveals the largest study of its kind, published in the online journal BMJ Open.
Reducing opioid use prior to joint replacement surgery linked to better outcomes The use of opioids (narcotic pain medication), often prescribed for chronic musculoskeletal pain, has skyrocketed in recent years with 98 percent of the world's opioid prescriptions filled in North America. Two research studies presented this week at the 2016 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), link decreased opioid use prior to joint replacement surgery with improved patient satisfaction and outcomes, fewer complications, and a reduced need for post-surgical opioids.
Dietary glycemic index linked to lung cancer risk in select populations Consuming a diet with a high glycemic index, a classification of how rapidly carbohydrates elevate blood sugar levels, was independently associated with an increased risk of developing lung cancer in non-Hispanic whites, according to a new epidemiologic study from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Poor helmet fit associated with concussion severity in high school football players High school football players with ill-fitting helmets are at greater risk for more severe concussions, according to a study presented today at the 2016 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).
Guiding knee replacement patients to high-volume hospitals could save $4 billion annually If all patients scheduled for knee replacement were directed to high-volume hospitals for the surgery, it could save the U.S. healthcare system between $2.5 and $4 billion annually by the year 2030, according to a study at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York City.
Foreign patients turn to India in search of cut-price cures When doctors told Australian Greg Jefferys he had Hepatitis C and the disease was destroying his liver, the devastating diagnosis was compounded by the cost of a cure.
	Women often overestimate odds that early breast cancer will return, spread (HealthDay)—Many women treated for early breast cancer overestimate the odds of it spreading to another organ, and those fears can diminish their quality of life, new research suggests.
	Annual visit rate for obesity is 49 visits per 1,000 persons (HealthDay)—In 2012 there were 11 million visits to health care providers for obesity, with variation in visit rates by age and sex, according to a March data brief published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).
	New tests may help combat melanoma, expert says (HealthDay)—Genetic and molecular tests can be valuable in helping to diagnose and treat deadly melanoma skin cancer, a dermatologist says.
	Muscular men perceived to be better leaders than physically weak ones Forget intelligence or wisdom. A muscular physique might just be a more important attribute when it comes to judging a person's leadership potential.
Mapping family history can lead more at-risk patients to timely screening Most doctors and nurses review a patient's family history to identify risk factors for heart disease and cancer, often through a paper checklist or brief interview.
	Melanoma expert discusses dangers of indoor tanning As spring break plans are being finalized, many people are heading for the tanning salons to get that beach-ready glow.
	Veterinary college study and pioneering database tackle most common heart disease in dogs When Jane Shaw of Floyd, Virginia, brought her 14-year-old border collie, Clio, into the Veterinary Teaching Hospital last fall, she learned about a clinical research study at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech that might help other dogs with similar heart conditions.
'Meaning in life' may be at heart of wellness A recent Western study into positive psychological factors, like a strong sense of meaning in one's life, may unlock a new method of enhancing mental health and well-being for adults and seniors.
	Eco-Greenery lamp' shining a new light in the fight against dengue and climate change Hailed as one of the six ground breaking innovations by the UK's daily newspaper Guardian – Smarter renewable power: six innovations, research led by Dr Chong Wen Tong at the University of Malaya, Malaysia, is indeed a 'shining new light' in the fight against the global epidemic of dengue and climate change.
	Are you a true altruist or driven by self-interest? Brain scan may give verdict The reason why we help others at a cost to ourselves has long presented a puzzle for scientists. Why do some of us do it more than others? And are we doing it because we are truly moved by the suffering of others or simply because we feel we ought to return a favour or even get something in return? Looking at behaviour alone, it can be hard to tell. Both empathy and the principle of reciprocity – giving to return a favour or expecting others to do so – are proposed explanations for altruism which have been impossible to separate until now.
	30 small neurons join forces against pain Oxytocin plays a crucial role in modulating the response to pain, but until now the process leading to its release was unknown. An international team, coordinated by Alexandre Charlet, at the CNRS Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives in Strasbourg (France) and Valery Grinevich from the DKFZ in Germany, has just identified a new pain control center situated in the hypothalamus. It comprises some thirty neurons that are wholly responsible for coordinating the release of oxytocin into the blood and spinal cord, thus reducing painful sensations. These findings, which open new perspectives in the treatment of pathological pain, are detailed in an article published on 3 March 2016 in Neuron.
New brain stimulation target identified for Tourette syndrome Specifically targeted deep-brain stimulation improves symptoms in patients with severe Tourette, a study reports in the current issue of Biological Psychiatry.
	Women's hearts react more sensitively to stress While the number of men dying from a heart attack has been constantly decreasing during the past twenty years, the fatal risk particularly in young women has increased significantly. Gender medicine has already demonstrated that women exhibit different symptoms. A new insight shows that stress in the daily routine has particularly adverse effects on the hearts of women. This was emphasised by Alexandra Kautzky-Willer, Professor for Gender Medicine of MedUni Vienna, on the occasion of the impending International Women's Day on 8 March 2016.
	Polymer gel effectively reinforces worn out cartilage Aching knees and stiff fingers: osteoarthritis is a widespread joint disease with few treatment options. However, there may finally be some hope: American scientists are hoping to mechanically reinforce worn-out cartilage by incorporating a biomimetic gel. As they report in the journal Angewandte Chemie, their technique results in extensive interpenetration of the cartilage's natural biopolymer network with the synthetic polymer network.
Antidepressant use begins years before Alzheimer's diagnosis Antidepressants are frequently prescribed to persons with Alzheimer's disease before the diagnosis, according to a recent study from the University of Eastern Finland. Among persons with Alzheimer's disease, the initiation of antidepressant use was most common during the six months after the Alzheimer's diagnosis, and more frequent than among comparison persons without Alzheimer's disease even 4 years after the diagnosis. The results were published in International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.
Dysfunction of cellular powerplant shakes B-vitamin metabolism and causes genetic damage The recent Finnish study clarified a mechanism underlying a severe progressive children's brain disease and adult's muscle disease. The results indicate for the first time that the energy-metabolic defect in a cell can shake its B-vitamin balance and lead to genetic changes.
	Hypochlorous acid water generator highly effective in removing bacteria and deodorizing Toshiba Corporation today announced the launch in the Japanese B2B market of EWP-001, a portable, desk-top electrolyzed functional water generator that produces hypochlorous acid water. At a time of increasing concern for hygiene in settings ranging from restaurants to healthcare facilities, EWP-001 produces a safe, low-cost anti-bacterial sterilizer and deodorizer that uses the same technology as industrial clean rooms. EWP-001 will be available from March 15.
	Study sheds new light on post-operative bleeding in newborns A new study finds significant differences between the blood clot structure in adults and newborns, helping researchers better understand the challenges in addressing post-operative bleeding in neonatal patients. The researchers also found that the current standard of care for treating post-operative bleeding may pose an increased risk of thrombosis in newborns compared to adults, which researchers hadn't suspected. The study was performed by researchers at North Carolina State University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Emory University, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and the Georgia Institute of Technology.
	It's time to measure 21st century aging with 21st century tools The populations of most countries of the world are aging, prompting a deluge of news stories about slower economic growth, reduced labor force participation, looming pension crises, exploding health care costs and the reduced productivity and cognitive functioning of the elderly.
	New vulnerability revealed in blood cancer development Walter and Eliza Hall Institute researchers have uncovered a protein that is key to the development of blood cancers caused by a common genetic error.
IVF, often cited for high twin birth rate, could reduce it The twin birth rate in the U.S. has surged over the last 30 years, mostly because of reproductive technologies including in vitro fertilization. Though it's partly the cause, IVF could also be the most promising solution to reducing unintended twin births, argues Dr. Eli Adashi in a new editorial in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
When it comes to predicting depression, race may matter more than was thought Depression can strike anyone, taking a toll on mental and physical health, friendships, work and studies. But figuring out who's at risk for it is still a murky task.
Rare respiratory disease gene carriers actually have increased lung function New research has revealed the healthy carriers of a gene that causes a rare respiratory disease are taller and larger than average, with greater respiratory capacity.
Exercise may protect nerve cells in Spinal Muscular Atrophy patients Long-term exercise appears to be beneficial for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) like mice, suggesting a potential of active physiotherapy for patient care; according to a study published today in the Journal of Physiology.
Can social support be a bad thing for older adults? A recent study conducted by Duke-NUS Medical School (Duke-NUS) researchers suggests that social support from family and friends does not have an entirely positive effect on mental health but is instead a 'mixed blessing'. This is the first study that demonstrates the simultaneous negative and positive effects of social support among Singaporean older adults and has implications for policy makers.
Dementia care at home: Raising knowledge and confidence to improve quality and decrease costs Over two thirds or the home health care population consists of adults over the age of 65, approximately 36% have some form of cognitive impairment, including dementia. According to the Institute of Medicine, the number of home health care (HHC) providers qualified to properly care for the older adults, including those with dementia, is inadequate.
	Safe treatments available for expectant moms' skin conditions (HealthDay)—There are a number of safe and effective ways to treat chronic skin conditions in pregnant women, a dermatologist says.
Angry, easily frustrated young adult? Middle age may bring problems of memory and planning In a year when anger, mistrust and frustration are driving many to the polls, new research offers some insight for the middle-aged and a warning to the young and the restless: Young adults who are readily frustrated and show high levels of hostility are more likely than their mellower peers to become 50-year-olds with problems of memory, and mental speed and agility.
	Evolving insights into cystic fibrosis lung infections Recent research progress into how bacteria adapt and evolve during chronic lung infections in cystic fibrosis patients could lead to better treatment strategies being developed, according to a new review by the University of Liverpool.
New study 'strongest' proof Zika causes Guillain-Barre Syndrome A study published this week was the strongest piece of evidence yet that that the Zika virus causes the neurological disorder Guillain-Barre Syndrome, but more research was needed, the UN said Friday.
Biomarker tests for molecularly targeted therapies need better evidence, oversight Potentially useful biomarker tests for molecularly targeted therapies are not being adopted appropriately into clinical practice because of a lack of common evidentiary standards necessary for regulatory, reimbursement, and treatment decisions, says a new report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. To enhance patient care and clinical outcomes, the report calls for the creation of a "rapid learning system" that would integrate research on these tests and associated treatments with clinical practice. Appropriate regulatory oversight is also needed to ensure that biomarker tests and targeted therapies are accurate, reliable, and properly validated and implemented.
Procedures to repair knee cartilage show promise in treating patients over 40 Patients who have cartilage damage in their knees often experience pain and are unable to engage in sports and other activities they enjoy. Two studies at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) find that cartilage restoration procedures are a viable treatment option for patients over 40 years old.
Researchers offer framework to integrate behavioral health and primary care Researchers at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, along with experts from across the country, have developed a set of policy recommendations that would improve the quality of behavioral health care patients receive in clinical settings.
'Black death' offers clues to battling HIV and hepatitis C centuries later The Black Death swept Europe in the 14th century eliminating up to half of the population but it left genetic clues that now may aid a University of Cincinnati (UC) researcher in treating HIV patients co-infected with hepatitis C using an anti-retroviral drug therapy.
Transition to child care easier when parents and providers form partnership A new University of Illinois study reveals that the transition from home to child care is an important time for creating a partnership between parent and provider that benefits the child's development.
New placenta model could reveal how birth defect-causing infections cross from mom to baby Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and Magee-Womens Research Institute (MWRI) have devised a cell-based model of the human placenta that could help explain how pathogens that cause birth defects, such as Zika virus, cross from mother to unborn child. The findings were published today in Science Advances.
Investigators trace emergence and spread of virulent salmonella strain Since it first emerged more than half a century ago, a particular strain of multidrug-resistant Salmonella has spread all over the world. Now researchers have figured out why this strain, Salmonella Typhimuriam DT104, has been so successful. This new knowledge could prove valuable in combating other successful pathogens, according to the authors. The study is published ahead of print March 4th in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, a journal of the American Society for Microbiology.
	Consistent self-weighing might give your diet a boost (HealthDay)—Want to boost the odds your diet might work? Head to those bathroom scales more often.
	Four signs that a geriatric ER patient should be admitted to the hospital Older adults who go to the emergency department with cognitive impairment, a change in disposition plan from admit to discharge, low blood pressure and elevated heart rate were more likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) or to die within 7 days. The results of a matched case-control study of patients age 65 or older who died or were admitted to the ICU within 7 days of being evaluated in the emergency department were published online Wednesday in Annals of Emergency Medicine ("Poor Outcomes Following Emergency Department Discharge of the Elderly: A Case-Control Study").
Eating peanut in early years helps reduce risk of allergy even with later abstinence The early introduction of peanut to the diets of infants at high-risk of developing peanut allergy significantly reduces the risk of peanut allergy until 6 years of age, even if they stop eating peanut around the age of five, according to a new study led by King's College London.
Protection against peanut allergy by early consumption persists after 1 year of avoidance Peanut allergy prevention achieved from early peanut consumption in at-risk infants persists after a one-year period of avoiding peanut, a clinical trial has found. The LEAP-ON clinical trial (Persistence of Oral Tolerance to Peanut) was conducted by the Immune Tolerance Network (ITN), a research consortium supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, and led by Dr. Gideon Lack from Kings College London. The results were published today in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Latin dancing may have health benefits for older adults A four-month dance program helped older Latino adults walk faster and improved their physical fitness, which may reduce their risk for heart disease, according to research presented at the American Heart Association's Epidemiology/Lifestyle 2016 Scientific Sessions.
	Optimistic outlook may boost hispanics' heart health (HealthDay)—For U.S. Hispanics, an upbeat attitude may go a long way toward keeping a healthy heart, a new study finds.
	Misconceptions about acne still common (HealthDay)—There are still plenty of negative and mistaken beliefs about people with acne, a new study finds.
	Lens surface, care solution affect adhesion of Acanthamoeba (HealthDay)—Both rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lens surface and multipurpose contact lens care solutions (MPSs) impact adhesion rates of Acanthamoeba castellanii (AC) trophozoites, according to a study published in the March issue of Ophthalmic & Physiological Optics.
	More chest pain for women undergoing PCI with DES (HealthDay)—Women undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with new generation drug-eluting stents (DES) have a higher prevalence of clinically relevant chest pain, according to a study published online March 2 in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.
USOC forms infectious disease panel to address Zika concerns An infectious disease specialist from the University of Utah will chair a group formed by the U.S. Olympic Committee to address concerns about the Zika virus and other health issues at the Rio de Janeiro Games this summer.
New study looks at efficacy of self-guided and accelerated post-surgical therapy programs Research presented at the 2016 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) challenges two common rehabilitation standards: physical therapy following total hip replacement (THR) at an outpatient facility, and gradual movement of the quadriceps tendon following total knee replacement (TKR) surgery.
Digital fitness devices help patients monitor health and activity, improve outcomes Many orthopaedic patients are eager to track and improve their health and progress before, during and after treatment. A digital fitness device, technology already owned by 1 in 10 Americans, provides a unique opportunity for patients to monitor their activity levels, medication use, weight, sleep patterns, rehabilitation progress, and other personal health data, ultimately empowering them to improve clinical outcomes, according to a study presented today at the 2016 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).
Remote orthopaedic care may successfully, cost-effectively treat common conditions Orthopaedic care for patients living in remote areas may be managed through phone or email, allowing patients to receive treatment without travelling to a larger, urban hospital for care, according to a study presented today at the 2016 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). The study also found that remote care may provide significant savings in time, missed work, and health care and transportation costs for residents living in rural areas.
	Unravelling the wonders of traditional medicine A Malaysia-China joint research team explores on new medicinal uses of Malaysian traditional herbs Eurycoma longifolia, also known as Tongkat Ali.
	Researchers create agave drink with probiotics to regulate sugar levels With a drink designed from agave and probiotic microorganisms, specialists from the Popular Autonomous University of Puebla (UPAEP) in Mexico succeeded in reducing sugar blood levels in students who were given a glucose solution.
	Lebanon's trash crisis drags on, worrying doctors even more Lebanon's trash collection crisis, which sent thousands protesting into the streets last summer, is now in its eight month with still no resolution in sight. Though it has prompted political debates and occasional heated discussions, Lebanese doctors and medical professionals are increasingly alarmed by its effect on health.
A case exemplar for national policy leadership: Expanding PACE program A new article "A Case Exemplar for National Policy Leadership: Expanding Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)," in the March 2016 Journal of Gerontology, chronicles the beginnings of PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) and outlines its rise to nationwide acceptance. PACE is a viable and sustainable model of community-based long-term care that provides coordinated and comprehensive services with an interdisciplinary patient-centered team model that is paid for through Medicare, Medicaid, and other insurers.

Biology news

	Researchers find male frogs infected with fungus have more enticing calls A pair of researchers with Seoul National University has found that Japanese tree frogs infected with Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) fungus make different advertisement calls than uninfected frogs. In their paper published in The Royal Society Biology Letters, Deuknam An and Bruce Waldman explain their study and results and what impact the change in calls has on the frogs.
	Biologists identify six new unique species of the western rattlesnake There are more species of rattlesnake slithering around western North America than previously thought.
	Researcher develops technique for enhancing gene therapy Using his knowledge of how genes are organized and repaired in human cells, Dr. Graham Dellaire, Dalhousie Medical School's Cameron Research Scientist in Cancer Biology, has developed a technique that could make gene therapy more effective and safer to use. His work was recently published in Nucleic Acids Research and Nature.
	Woodpecker drumming signals wimp or warrior Animal behavior researchers at Wake Forest University have found that the highly territorial downy woodpecker interprets drumming intensity from adversaries to figure out who is or isn't a threat.
	Fungal pathogen sheds gene silencing machinery and becomes more dangerous For more than a decade, a rare but potentially deadly fungus called Cryptococcus deuterogatti has taken up residence in the Pacific Northwest and Vancouver Island. Unlike its cousin Cryptococcus neoformans, which mostly infects patients with compromised immune systems, this fungus has sickened hundreds of otherwise healthy people.
	Rare Death Valley 'super bloom' carpets desert with color A rare "super bloom" of wildflowers in Death Valley National Park has covered the hottest and driest place in North America with a carpet of gold, attracting tourists from all over the world and enchanting visitors with a stunning display from nature's paint brush.
	Oestrogen in birth control pills has a negative impact on fish A new doctoral thesis from Lund University in Sweden shows that hormones found in birth control pills alter the genes in fish, which can cause changes in their behaviour. The thesis also shows that nurse midwives, who are the main prescribers in Sweden, lack information about the environmental impact of hormonal birth control methods, which may affect the advice they provide.
	Changeable weather could help, hurt Texas wildflower displays Healthy rains in the fall and early winter put Texas on track for a spectacular 2016 spring wildflower season, but spotty rain and unusual warmth recently could dampen displays in some areas.
	A digital beehive could warn beekeepers when their hives are under attack Honey bees are responsible for pollinating crops worth more than US$19 billion and for producing about US$385 million in honey a year in the United States. In Australia, honey bee production is a A$92-million industry.
	Murray crayfish high-country hideout under threat Ecologists have found that Murray crayfish numbers plunged 90 per cent in a high country river after their habitat was lost.
	Sealing the bonds between mother and child Observations of mothering seals by scientists at the University of St Andrews has shed new light into the mother-child bond.
Understanding differences within species is critical to conservation efforts A new study published in the journal Ecological Applications shows that differences within a species across geographically distinct ranges should be taken into account during conservation planning as the climate changes.
	Marine protected areas intensify both cooperation and competition Marine protected areas generate both extreme cooperation and extreme competition among fishers.
Increase in the number of dog attacks on guide dogs in the UK Reported dog attacks on guide dogs have risen significantly over a five year period, finds a study published online in the journal Veterinary Record.
	Research focuses on reducing heat stress for calves in plastic hutches A recent series of studies found reflective covers to be beneficial for dairy calves housed in calf hutches.
Collaborative project to help save the UK's declining pollinators launched The University of Stirling is working with Polli:Nation, a UK-wide biodiversity project, to get schools across Britain to help save and protect the dwindling pollinating insect population by transforming their grounds and community spaces.
	More Sumatran orangutans than previously thought Sumatran orangutans, one of the two existing species of orangutans, live exclusively in the North of the Indonesian island Sumatra and are critically endangered. This great ape is threatened by poaching and forest loss, as its habitat is being converted for agricultural purposes. An international team of researchers has now conducted an extensive series of surveys to estimate the number of Sumatran orangutans. They discovered that about 14,600 of these animals still live in the wild today - 8,000 more than previously thought. Good news, however, the increase in numbers is due to a more wide-ranging survey effort and not to an increase in the orangutan population. Moreover, should the deforestation of the orangs' habitat go ahead as planned, as many as 4,500 individuals could vanish by 2030. The researchers thus urge Sumatran national and provincial legislation to implement measures to avoid negative impacts on forests where orangu! tans occur.

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