Science X Newsletter Thursday, Mar 3

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for March 3, 2016:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- UK to unveil largest floating solar array in the world
- Dronebox nest concept carries impact on drone use efficiency
- Hungarian team's MobilECG is made open source
- Plant biomarker evidence of ancestral human lifestyle
- Researcher demonstrates how easy it is to hack police-type drone
- WISE reveals the X-shaped bulge of our galaxy
- DNA 'scrunching' occurs as RNA polymerase selects a position to begin synthesizing RNA
- Study helps narrow down one reason why clouds are hard to model
- A new technology reveals the genetic origin of newborn neurons in the brain
- There goes the neighborhood: Changes in chromosome structure activate cancer-causing genes
- Quantum computer factors numbers, could be scaled up
- Hubble breaks cosmic distance record
- Study shows broccoli may offer protection against liver cancer
- Researchers investigate why seed bugs have evolved extremely long male genitals
- Lazy weekends may boost body fat, study shows

Astronomy & Space news

	WISE reveals the X-shaped bulge of our galaxy Using a set of coadded images taken by NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE), astronomers from the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy in Germany and the University of Toronto in Canada, have provided new insights on the morphology and structure of the bulge of our home galaxy, the Milky Way. They revealed the X-shaped nature of the bulge, which could have important implications for the understanding of the formation history of our galaxy. The findings are presented in a research paper published online on Feb. 29 on the arXiv server.
	ALMA spots baby star's growing blanket Researchers using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) have made the first direct observations delineating the gas disk around a baby star from the infalling gas envelope. This finding fills an important missing piece in our understanding of the early phases of stellar evolution. A research team, led by Yusuke Aso (a graduate student at the University of Tokyo) and Nagayoshi Ohashi (a professor at the Subaru Telescope, National Astronomical Observatory of Japan) observed the baby star named TMC-1A located 450 light years away from us, in the constellation Taurus (the Bull). TMC-1A is a protostar, a star still in the process of forming. Large amounts of gas still surround TMC-1A.
	Radio squeaks reveal ET particles coming in LOFAR, the big international radio telescope, can now be used as a particle detector. Astronomers made a model to determine the type and cosmic source of incoming particles. Nature publishes an article about these findings on 3 March.
	Hubble breaks cosmic distance record By pushing the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope to its limits astronomers have shattered the cosmic distance record by measuring the distance to the most remote galaxy ever seen in the Universe. This galaxy existed just 400 million years after the Big Bang and provides new insights into the first generation of galaxies. This is the first time that the distance of an object so far away has been measured from its spectrum, which makes the measurement extremely reliable. The results will be published in the Astrophysical Journal.
	Image: LEAF sound horn at ESA's Large European Acoustic Facility The largest sound horn feeding into ESA's Large European Acoustic Facility – seen here during its installation in 1990 – which is used to subject satellites to a noise level equivalent to a rocket launch.
	The truth about Scotland's mysterious fireball On Monday February 29 around 18:45, many lucky people in Scotland and the north of England witnessed something spectacular. A bright light streamed across the sky, flashing several times before fading away. You could see it as far north as Shetland and Orkney, and as far south as Newcastle. Many people posted their camera recordings online, allowing millions to see it around the world.
	Astronaut's return to Earth will prepare us for mission to Mars – here's why Would you like to spend a year gazing down from the International Space Station? Before you pack your bag, you should think about what actually might happen to you in microgravity, away from the protection of the atmosphere and magnetosphere. Thanks to two astronauts who've recently landed back on Earth, we'll now be able to find out.
Video: Sentinel-3A timelapse This timelapse video shows Sentinel-3A, from final preparations to liftoff on a Rockot launcher from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia, at 17:57 GMT (18:57 CET) on 16 February 2016.
	Yearlong spaceman plunges into pool: 'Man, that feels good' NASA's yearlong spaceman Scott Kelly took a long-anticipated plunge Thursday, jumping into his backyard pool, astronaut outfit and all.
	Epic journey through Los Angeles set for space shuttle tank ET is coming home. ET-94, a massive external fuel tank built for the space shuttle program but never used in flight, will finally take an epic journey—not in space, but through the Panama Canal and eventually along the busy roadways of Los Angeles, it was announced Thursday.

Technology news

	Hungarian team's MobilECG is made open source Open source in 2016 indicates that engineers and scientists continue to adopt open source to advance their ideas.
	Researcher demonstrates how easy it is to hack police-type drone IBM researcher Nils Rodday has given a presentation at this year's RSA Security Conference demonstrating how easy it is to hack an unknown brand of police drone. He reported that he discovered the technique while still a graduate student at the University of Twente in the Netherlands.
	UK to unveil largest floating solar array in the world Workers with Ennoviga Solar and Lightsource Renewable Energy are set to unveil the largest floating solar array in the world, later this month. The five year project was commissioned by Thames Water and the electricity produced by the array will go towards powering water treatment plants that support London and surrounding areas.
	Dronebox nest concept carries impact on drone use efficiency Singapore-based H3 Dynamics has unveiled Dronebox; this is a system that converges drone-enabled service activities "with the Industrial Internet of Things."
	A better 3D camera with clear, graphene light detectors A camera that can record 3D images and video is under development at the University of Michigan, with $1.2 million in funding from the W.M. Keck Foundation.
	Different paths could lead to autonomous cars Cars that drive themselves would mean a revolution in how people get around.
	China's DJI wants to sell drones in Japan after laws loosen Major Chinese consumer-drone maker DJI has its eyes on the potentially lucrative Japanese market after regulations on drones were relaxed here three months ago.
	Re-thinking renewable energy predictions Unlike conventional energy sources, like coal or oil, the supply and demand of renewable energy are, to a large extent, unpredictable because they are affected by the natural fluctuations in the power source itself. This poses a number of difficulties in calculating how much renewable energy will be available for consumer needs at any given time.
	Student develops fingerprint-based authentication app Having trouble remembering all your online passwords? You're not alone. A recent study by identity management firm Centrify found that the average person has at least 19 online passwords, and that 25 percent of users forget at least one login detail each day.
New satellite alerts reveal how forests changed this month With data from satellites, there is generally a trade-off between resolution and the frequency of updates – that's why most of the alerts already on Global Forest Watch are 500- or 250-meter resolution.
	Researchers develop algorithms that let machines understand speech with human-like speed, accuracy Today, talking to a computer or an app can be an infuriating experience. But is it possible that one day we will have conversations with computers that feel as fluid and natural as talking to another person?
	Alternative fuels need more than hype to drive transportation market Hype followed by disappointment: That's been the general pattern over the past few decades when an alternative fuel is presented to the public. It's a fuel du jour phenomenon, from methanol to hydrogen, where government leaders and the media hype a new fuel, only to abandon it when lofty expectations are not met.
Researchers have created a breakthrough model biological supercomputer Researchers from the EU-funded ABACUS project have created a model biological supercomputer that is both sustainable and highly energy efficient.
	Will the next U.S. president close the digital divide for Americans without broadband access? Most of the 2016 presidential candidates' policy platforms recognize the strategic importance of high-speed Internet (HSI), or broadband, in transforming the economy and spurring innovation.
Researchers develop an intelligent data scanner that allows to scan the Internet to detect signs of organized crime An international team of researchers, with the participation of the University of Granada (UGR), has developed an intelligent, data scanning system that allows to scan web pages and e-mails to search evidences of organized crime, as well as estimating the risk of occurrence of certain illegal activities.
	Taming oceans for 24/7 power Fossil fuels propelled the Industrial Revolution and subsequent technological advances. However, our future cannot be based on them, if only because they are a finite resource; and we are very close to exhausting them.
Trolls who impersonate others online could face UK charges Britain's prosecution service says people could be charged if they create fake online profiles in order to harass or humiliate others.
	Amazon, targeting smart homes, adds devices to 'Alexa' family Amazon unveiled two devices Thursday in the family of its "Alexa" voice-activated personal assistant, aiming for a bigger foothold in the smart-home market.
	Uber and Ola race to offer motorbike taxis in India Uber and its Indian rival Ola on Thursday launched pilot taxi motorbike services within hours of each other, as competition between the two taxi apps ramps up.
	Hacked! Business bank accounts vulnerable to cybercriminals It's a chilling moment when a small business owner discovers hackers have stolen thousands of dollars from the company checking account.
	Pentagon chief wary of tech 'back doors' US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter has said he opposes high-tech "back doors" that would allow the government access to encrypted data on people's phones and other devices.
	Tech rivals join Apple's legal fight against FBI A broad array of technology firms joined Apple's legal fight on encryption Thursday, warning of a dangerous precedent if the company is forced to help the government break into a locked iPhone.
Bird droppings apparently caused NY nuclear reactor outage Bird droppings were the likely cause of a December shutdown at a nuclear power plant outside New York City, according to the operator.
French deputies seek to punish phone makers who don't help probes French parliamentary deputies, defying government wishes, on Thursday voted in favour of penalising smartphone makers who fail to cooperate in terrorism inquiries, entering a controversy which has pitted the FBI against Apple in the United States.
	Chinese pandas given by President Xi arrive in South Korea A pair of giant pandas, a state gift to South Korea from Chinese President Xi Jinping, arrived in Seoul on Thursday to a red-carpet welcome.
Finnish electric buses serve as mobile testing platforms in the Helsinki region Finnish electric buses will soon be acting as development platforms for smart mobility services in the Helsinki region, used for boosting the creation of new user-centric solutions and product development of businesses.

Medicine & Health news

	New research clarifies how stem cells get activated to produce new hair Adult stem cells provide the body with a reservoir from which damaged or used up tissues can be replenished. In organs like the intestines and skin, which need constant rejuvenating, these stem cells are dividing frequently. But in other body structures, including the hair follicles, they are held in a quiescent state—one in which they don't reproduce until they receive signals from their surroundings that it's time to regenerate.
	Neuronal calculations consider expectations Our visual environment is incredibly complex. The smallest of spaces contain innumerable colours, structures and contrasts. Despite this we are able to identify objects and movements with high accuracy. Even the fruit fly, which only has a fraction of our neurons, can manage these distinctions. Researchers from the Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology in Martinsried have now found evidence that the visual system of the fruit fly has adapted optimally to the features of the environment over millions of years. The unequal distribution of bright and dark regions in nature is reflected in similarly asymmetric processing by the fly brain.
	'Brain GPS' network allows brain to track location when at rest UC San Francisco scientists have discovered a network of brain cells that allows animals to keep track of where they are when they are not moving through space, such as when they are eating, engaged in social interactions, or sleeping. The new research fills a critical gap in a decades-long line of research on the so-called GPS system of the brain, which has so far been largely described in terms of cells that aid navigation by becoming active when animals, including humans, move through particular locations.
	Novel small-molecule antiviral compound protects monkeys from deadly Ebola virus Rhesus monkeys were completely protected from Ebola virus when treated three days after infection with a compound that blocks the virus's ability to replicate. These encouraging preclinical results suggest the compound, known as GS-5734, should be further developed as a potential treatment, according to research findings published online this week in the journal Nature.
	Lazy weekends may boost body fat, study shows (HealthDay)—Playing couch potato on the weekends may be even worse for your weight than working at a desk all week, new research suggests.
	Study shows broccoli may offer protection against liver cancer Consumption of broccoli has increased in the United States over the last few decades as scientists have reported that eating the vegetable three to five times per week can lower the risk of many types of cancer including breast, prostate, and colon cancers.
	A new technology reveals the genetic origin of newborn neurons in the brain Our brain is home to different types of neurons, each with their own genetic signature that defines their function. These neurons are derived from progenitor cells, which are specialized stem cells that have the ability to divide to give rise to neurons. Today, neuroscientists from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Geneva (UNIGE) shed light on the mechanisms that allow progenitors to generate neurons. By developing a novel technology called FlashTag that enables them to isolate and visualize neurons at the very moment they are born, they have deciphered the basic genetic code allowing the construction of a neuron. This discovery, which is published today in Science, allows not only to understand how our brain develops, but also how to use this code to reconstruct neurons from stem cells. Researchers will now be able to better understand the mechanisms underlying neurological diseases such as autism and schizophrenia.
Researchers overturn landmark study on the replicability of psychological science According to two Harvard professors and their collaborators, a 2015 landmark study showing that more than half of all psychology studies cannot be replicated is actually wrong.
	New TSRI study shows HIV structure in unprecedented detail A new study from scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) describes the high-resolution structure of the HIV protein responsible for recognition and infection of host cells.
	There goes the neighborhood: Changes in chromosome structure activate cancer-causing genes In a finding with enormous implications for cancer diagnostics and therapeutics, Whitehead Institute scientists have discovered that breaches in looping chromosomal structures known as "insulated neighborhoods" can activate oncogenes capable of fueling aggressive tumor growth.
	Ancient viral invaders in our DNA help fight today's infections About eight percent of our DNA is viral in origin: remnants of ancient battles between infectious viruses and our ancestors. These so-called endogenous viruses are often perceived as a mere oddity with no clear biological significance. But a new study by scientists at the University of Utah School of Medicine shows that evolution has repurposed some of these viral remains into weapons against its own kind.
	How many types of neurons are there in the brain? For decades, scientists have struggled to develop a comprehensive census of cell types in the brain. Now, in a pair of companion papers, researchers at Columbia's Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute describe powerful new approaches to systematically identify individual classes of brain cells, or neurons, in the spinal cord. In doing so, they reveal elements of the underlying circuit architecture through which these neurons shape movement—and highlight how statistical approaches could provide neuroscientists with a critical tool to quantify the cellular diversity of any region of the brain.
Most teens who misuse prescription stimulants say they use other people's medication Using someone else's medication is the most common form of prescription stimulant misuse among adolescents, according to a University of Florida Health study, which found that 88 percent of teens who used the drugs non-medically in the past 30 days said they had obtained the medications from someone else.
Drug combination slows breast cancer spread A combination of two drugs delays progression of advanced, aggressive breast cancer by an average of nine months - working in all subsets of the most common type of breast cancer.
Researchers urged to share landmark trial data on safety of starch solutions A group of researchers are today being urged to share their data for a landmark trial that raised safety concerns about the use of starch solutions.
Key brain receptor sheds light on neurological conditions, researchers say Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus have found that a key receptor in the brain, once thought to only strengthen synapses, can also weaken them, offering new insights into the mechanisms driving depression, drug addiction and even Alzheimer's disease.
Increased protein consumption linked to feelings of fullness Many people turn to high-protein foods when trying to lose weight because eating protein-rich meals is commonly believed to make dieters feel fuller. Surprisingly, this idea hadn't been tested on a large scale. In a new study featured in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, researchers conducted a systematic review of the evidence on the effect of protein intake on perceived fullness and confirmed that protein does, in fact, make us feel fuller.
Better way to treat abscesses: Add antibiotic to conventional approach UCLA researchers have found that doctors can use a specific antibiotic in addition to surgically draining an abscess to give people a better chance of recovery. The discovery turns on its head the long-held notion that surgical drainage alone is sufficient for treating abscesses.
Happiness can break your heart too Happy events can trigger a heart condition known as takotsubo syndrome, according to research published today (Thursday) in the European Heart Journal .
Energy drinks trigger abnormal heart rhythm, rise in blood pressure A clinical trial led by researchers from University of the Pacific and David Grant Medical Center adds to the evidence that energy drinks may be bad for your heart. Results of the study will be presented today at a meeting of the American Heart Association in Phoenix, Arizona.
ADHD medications associated with diminished bone health in kids Children and adolescents who take medication for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) show decreased bone density, according to a large cross-sectional study presented today at the 2016 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).
Improved lifestyle led to decreased cholesterol and less cardiac death Cholesterol levels - the most common risk factor for heart attacks - have decreased in northern Sweden over the last 20 years. Since medical drugs only account for a third of the decrease, the reduced risk of cardiovascular disease is greatly thanks to a change in lifestyle. This according to a study published in the European Heart Journal.
Google teams with UNICEF to map Zika virus spread Google on Thursday said that it is working with UNICEF to map the spread of Zika and pitching in a million dollars to support the group's efforts on the ground.
Using viruses to fight infection Scientists at the University of Brighton have shown viruses that can kill bacteria may be used to combat common infections related to the use of medical devices such as catheters.
	Research puts stroke patients at heart of rethinking rehabilitation in hospital Stroke patients and their families are to play a pivotal role in finding creative ways to embed rehabilitation in every aspect of a stroke unit, to improve the pace and extent of patients' recovery before leaving hospital. New research by Kingston University and St George's, University of London aims to identify small environmental and organisational changes that can be made on a unit that may cost very little, but have the potential to significantly improve rehabilitation.
Study finds hockey players often underhydrated One might not think of hockey as a sport that tends to cause dehydration in its players. But a University of Kansas study shows that not only are hockey players at high risk of dehydration, but plans specifically designed for individuals to keep them properly hydrated during activity might not be enough.
	World's first internally motorized minimally invasive surgical robotic system An innovative project to develop a novel surgical robotic system (NSRS) with haptic (tactile) feedback and capable of single incision or natural orifice (incision-less) robotic surgery has been initiated by a team led by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
	Reading can improve your mental flexibility Experiments conducted by the University of Liverpool's Centre for Research into Reading, Literature and Society (CRILS) have found that literary reading could help increase mental flexibility.
	How do children learn to form social bonds? Toddlers may be ever so adorable but they can also be frustratingly poor at listening and respecting other people's feelings. So how are they able to grow into social butterflies a decade or two later, often capable of extraordinary friendship, loyalty and perceptiveness?
	Study shows high-risk sex more likely for young men than women, even among educated urban populations A new study of the sexual habits of nearly 85,000 young people suggests that males are at least ten times more likely to engage in high-risk sexual behaviour than their female counterparts.
	Tumours can use 'remote control' to attract blood vessels Researchers at Leiden University have demonstrated that tumours can apply mechanical means to attract the blood vessels they need to be able to grow. The team published this discovery on 2 March in Nature Scientific Reports.
	Stress in young adults indicates future disease Gender, BMI and smoking status influence stress response patterns in young adults, and these stress response patterns could indicate future adult diseases.
Ability to cope with stress when young may impact cognition in midlife Researchers in the US have found that people who struggle to cope with stressful situations in their twenties may have worse memory and thinking skills in their fifties. The research was published in the journal Neurology on 2 March 2016.
	Asymmetry of an emotion Though probably not at the top of the concerns of people affected by facial hemiparalysis, it's nonetheless a problem that should not be overlooked. Facial hemiparalysis not only makes it impossible to produce expressions, it also impairs the perception of expressions on other people's faces. A new study conducted with the collaboration of the International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA) in Trieste, the University of Wisconsin, Madison (USA), and the Harvard Medical School of Boston, shows that this difficulty is probably related to an impairment of facial mimicry, a mechanism that helps us understand the emotions of others.
Chemists devise new approach for rapidly identifying 'legal highs' Chemists from Queen's University Belfast have developed a new approach which now allows for rapid screening and identification of 'legal highs' or novel psychoactive substances (NPS).
New study finds elders living alone with abuser more likely to endure severe mistreatment A new study examining elder abuse–released today by researchers at the University of Toronto, Cornell University, and Weill-Cornell Medical College–has found that older adult victims living alone with their abuser were up to four times more likely to endure more severe levels of mistreatment. The study suggests that the addition of non-perpetrators also living in the home played a protective function to buffer severity.
Improving newborn screenings and care for rare diseases The birth of a new child is an exciting, anxiety-inducing, life-changing event. Among the flurry of physical health tests and introductions to your new family addition, your child is screened for a litany of rare diseases in his or her first hours of life. For most parents, this newborn screening is an imperceptible blip on life's radar, but for a minority, it can mark the beginning of the most difficult journey of their lives.
New, highly realistic computer models of neurons The Allen Institute for Brain Science and the Blue Brain Project are deepening their collaboration. Today, the US-based Allen Institute is releasing a set of 40 computer models of neurons from the mouse visual cortex, created using tools developed by the Swiss-based Blue Brain Project at EPFL. Using Blue Brain technology, the researchers were able to reproduce the physiology and electrical activity of the neurons with an extremely high level of detail.
A new biomarker of brain inflammation in early-stage Alzheimer's disease Researchers at the Ludwig-Maximilians-University, the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), and the Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD) in Munich, Germany, have identified a brain inflammation marker in patients at early asymptomatic stages of Alzheimer's disease. This secreted marker molecule, which can be measured from cerebrospinal fluid taps, may provide clinicians with a rapidly detectable biomarker for the transition from preclinical Alzheimer's disease to cognitive impairment and progression to full dementia. Such is the conclusion of a multi-center study on a large group of human patients, published online in EMBO Molecular Medicine.
	Drug distribution becomes weapon to block competition The same strategy that Martin Shkreli used to get away with a 5,000-percent price increase on an old drug is used by many other drugmakers to maintain sky-high prices on billions of dollars' worth of medications.
	Poor sleep may not add to cholesterol problems, study finds (HealthDay)—Sleepless nights don't appear to be linked to an increase in cholesterol levels, a new study indicates.
	Monkeys move robotic wheelchairs with their thoughts (HealthDay)—Researchers who made it possible for monkeys to operate a robotic wheelchair using only the monkey's thoughts say the technology might eventually be used by severely disabled people.
	Decrease in rate of unintended pregnancies from 2008 to 2011 (HealthDay)—The rate of unintended pregnancies in the United States decreased from 2008 to 2011, according to research published in the March 3 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
	New pain relief technique for ACL knee surgery preserves muscle strength Anesthesiologists can significantly reduce loss of muscle strength in ACL knee surgery patients using a new pain management technique, a new study has found.
Long-term aspirin use linked to lower risk for gastrointestinal tract cancers Regular low doses of aspirin for at least six years was associated with a modestly reduced overall risk for cancer, primarily due to a lower risk for gastrointestinal tract cancer, especially colorectal cancers, according to an article published online by JAMA Oncology.
Using streaming online media such as YouTube to learn new surgical techniques A small survey American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) members found that most of them had used online streaming media (i.e. YouTube) at least once to learn a new technique and most had used those techniques in practice, according to an article published online by JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery.
Geriatric consultation with trauma surgeons improves outcomes for elderly accident victims CHICAGO (March 3, 2016): An immediate consultation between trauma surgeons and a geriatrician improves multidisciplinary care of elderly accident victims and the sensitivity of the family to the patient's ongoing health care needs. The process also demonstrates the role of the hospital's trauma surgery service as a foundation for creating comprehensive clinical pathways for acute and follow-up care of vulnerable elderly patients, according to a study published online in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons in advance of print publication.
Modified protein reverses cirrhosis in lab rats A protein modified to increase the amount of time it circulates in the bloodstream appears to reverse liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in rats, according to results of a study led by Johns Hopkins researchers.
Research shows efficacy of steroid use in late preterm delivery Current recommendations are for all women who go into labor prior to 34 weeks gestation to be given antenatal corticosteroids (betamethasone) to help mature the baby's lungs. However, many babies born in the late preterm period - between 34 and 36 weeks gestation - require respiratory support at birth. A recently completed study asked the question, "Would neonates born at these later gestational ages also benefit from antenatal corticosteroids?"
How effective is Twitter to share cancer clinical trial information and recruit? Could Twitter be a way to communicate with the public about cancer clinical trials and increase awareness and patient recruitment? A new research letter published online by JAMA Oncology considers that question.
Study shows rates of IBD in RI among the highest in the country, national rates climbing A study led by the Hasbro Children's Hospital Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Nutrition and Liver Diseases found that the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Rhode Island is one of the highest ever reported in the United States and that IBD rates nationally are much higher than previously reported. The increased prevalence of IBD cases points to a need for more research into the causes of IBD and development of more targeted treatments.
	Special collection presents the state of science for evaluating antibiotic resistance in agroecosystems The World Health Organization has identified antibiotic resistance as a serious threat to human health across the world. The Journal of Environmental Quality (JEQ) recently published a special section titled "Antibiotics in Agroecosystems" to address the science of this important topic.
	Tumors contain the seeds of their own destruction Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery in understanding how the genetic complexity of tumours can be recognised and exploited by the immune system, even when the disease is at its most advanced stages.
Brain connectivity reveals hidden motives To understand human behaviors, it is crucial to understand the motives behind them. So far, there was no direct way to identify motives. Simply observing behavior or eliciting explanations from individuals for their actions will not give reliable results as motives are considered to be private and people can be unwilling to unveil - or even be unaware of - their own motives. Psychologist and neuroscientist Grit Hein and Ernst Fehr from the Department of Economics, University of Zurich teamed up with Yosuke Morishima, Susanne Leiberg, Sunhae Sul and found that the way relevant brain regions communicate with each other is altered depending on the motives driving a specific behavioral choice. This interplay between brain regions allowed them to identify the underlying motives. These motives could not be uncovered by observing the person's choices, or based on the brain regions that are activated during the decision-making.
Bromances may be good for men's health Male friendships, portrayed and often winked at in bromance movies, could have healthful effects similar to those seen in romantic relationships, especially when dealing with stress, according to a new study of male rats by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley.
	Brain tune-up may aid self-motivation At our best, we motivate ourselves every day to get dressed and go to work or school. Although there are larger incentives at work, it's our own volition that powers us through our innumerable daily tasks.
	Blocking transfer of calcium to cell's powerhouse selectively kills cancer cells Inhibiting the transfer of calcium ions into the cell's powerhouse is specifically toxic to cancer cells, according to an article published this week in Cell Reports by researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.
PGK1 protein promotes brain tumor formation and cancer metabolism PGK1, a glycolytic enzyme, has been found to play a role in coordinating cellular processes crucial to cancer metabolism and brain tumor formation, according to results published in today's online issue of Molecular Cell. The findings may lay the groundwork for improved approaches to diagnosis and treatment of glioblastoma and other cancers.
	'Broken' heart breakthrough: Researchers reprogram cells to better battle heart failure Patients with heart failure often have a buildup of scar tissue that leads to a gradual loss of heart function. In a new study published today in the journal Cell Stem Cell, researchers from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine report significant progress toward a novel approach that could shrink the amount of heart scar tissue while replenishing the supply of healthy heart muscle.
Depicting as a method of communication When we think of language, we usually think of words, phrases, and sentences—strings of abstract symbols. In research over the past 50 years, cognitive and social scientists have developed extensive accounts of how people communicate with these symbols. But when people are face to face, they also communicate with actions that depict people, objects, and events. They create these depictions with their hands, arms, head, face, voice, and entire body, sometimes with other props but often without.
Common genetic variant in a tumor suppressor gene linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes P53, a tumor suppressor gene that is mutated and inactivated in the vast majority of cancers, has often been described as the "guardian of the genome" because of its protective effects against cancer. Now, researchers at The Wistar Institute are also making the case for p53 as the "guardian of obesity," having found that a variant of the gene is heavily implicated in metabolism, which may lead to obesity and the development of type 2 diabetes. Study results are published in the journal Cell Reports.
People with anxiety show fundamental differences in perception People with anxiety fundamentally perceive the world differently, according to a study reported in the Cell Press journal Current Biology on March 3. They aren't simply making the choice to "play it safe."
Healthy cells 'collaborate' with tumors to help build new blood vessels Healthy cells actively collaborate with tumours by creating a mesh of collagen that encourages cancer cells to build new blood vessels, a new study shows.
Researchers unravel pathways of potent antibodies that fight HIV infection One of the most crucial and elusive goals of an effective HIV vaccine is to stimulate antibodies that can attack the virus even as it relentlessly mutates.
Cancer expert says public health and prevention measures are key to defeating cancer Is investment in research to develop new treatments the best approach to controlling cancer? Would emphasizing prevention bring about more return on investment? Should we channel what we are learning about precision medicine and the genome into cancer prevention, not treatment alone?
	Breast cancer: An improved animal model opens up new treatments EPFL scientists have developed an animal model for breast cancer that faithfully captures the disease. Tested on human breast tissue, this the most clinically realistic model of breast cancer to date.
	New method for producing heart cells may hold the key to treating heart failure Scientists at the Gladstone Institutes have discovered how to make a new type of cell that is in between embryonic stem cells and adult heart cells, and that may hold the key to treating heart disease. These induced expandable cardiovascular progenitor cells (ieCPCs) can organically develop into heart cells, while still being able to replicate. When injected into a mouse after a heart attack, the cells improved heart function dramatically.
The risk of intestinal parasites in communities exposed to fecal waste In areas that undergo rapid urbanization in low-income countries the safe management of wastewater and fecal sludge is vital to ensure the health of the growing population. In particular, contact with human and animal fecal waste is a risk factor for parasitic infections such as hookworms and intestinal protozoa. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases reports a cross-sectional survey done by researchers from the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute and colleagues from Uganda who examined the prevalence and risk factors for intestinal parasitic infection in the growing suburbs of Kampala, the capital of this East African country.
	CDC: Superbugs cause 1 in 7 infections caught in hospitals Supergerms cause 1 out of 7 infections caught in hospitals, health officials said Thursday.
eHealth solution: A youth mental health self-referral service The University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre (CRCHUM) has received grants totalling $1.075 million to conduct a pilot program aiming to improve access to mental health services for youth.
	CPAP may improve glycemic control in sleep apnea patients Continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, appears to improve glycemic control in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and type 2 diabetes that is not well controlled, according to research published in the American Thoracic Society's American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. "Effect of CPAP on glycemic control in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and type 2 diabetes: A randomized clinical trial," is believed to be the first randomized controlled trial of its kind.
Boeing aims to spiff up in-flight bathroom experience Seeking to restore the sheen to the in-flight bathroom experience, Boeing is developing a "self-cleaning" toilet system to boost sanitation and battle unwelcome odors.
	Computer use may help deflect seniors' memory problems (HealthDay)—Seniors who use their computers as little as once a week may help ward off age-related declines in memory and thinking, new research suggests.
	Red ginseng, vitamin C may increase immune cell activity (HealthDay)—Red ginseng and vitamin C enhance immune cell activation and suppress viral infection in mice, according to an experimental study published online Feb. 21 in the Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology.
	ADA issues recs for management of diabetes in primary care (HealthDay)—New recommendations have been developed for diabetes, focusing on areas of importance for primary care providers. The clinical guideline was published online March 1 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
	Decrease in pediatric S. aureus infections due to MRSA (HealthDay)—The proportion of pediatric Staphylococcus aureus infections due to methicillin-resistant S. aureus seems to be decreasing in pediatric populations, according to a study published online March 1 in Pediatrics.
	Excimer laser efficacious for chronic hand and foot eczema (HealthDay)—Excimer laser (308 nm) is efficacious for patients with chronic hand and foot eczema (CHFE), according to research published online Feb. 24 in the International Journal of Dermatology.
Cells collected from preterm infants' urine may advance regenerative kidney repair Cells collected noninvasively from the urine of preterm infants may lead to breakthroughs in regenerative kidney repair for patients with kidney disease and injury, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN).
Yogurt may protect women from developing high blood pressure Women who ate five or more servings of yogurt per week had a lower risk of developing high blood pressure compared to those who rarely ate yogurt, according to research presented at the American Heart Association's Epidemiology/Lifestyle 2016 Scientific Sessions.
Violence linked to early signs of blood vessel disease in women Experiencing physical violence in adulthood may increase the risk of women developing heart and blood-vessel disease, according to research presented at the American Heart Association's Epidemiology/Lifestyle 2016 Scientific Sessions.
New research links mitochondrial dysfunction to the development of FECD Researchers at Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear have shown a link between mitochondrial dysfunction in corneal endothelial cells and the development of Fuchs' Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy. This study, published today in the journal, Antioxidants & Redox Signaling, is the first study to demonstrate that lifelong accumulation of oxidative DNA damage leads to mitochondrial dysfunction and subsequent cell death in the tissue of the corneal endothelium. These changes are the result of free radical-induced molecular changes that are characteristic of FECD.
Women need more of the HIV drug Truvada than men to prevent infection Women need daily doses of the antiviral medication Truvada to prevent HIV infection while men only need two doses per week due to the way the drug accumulates in different body tissues, according to a new study from pharmacy researchers the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
	Peanuts, peanut butter may hold key to preventing obesity Hispanic middle school children, at high risk for being overweight or obese, reduced their Body Mass Index (BMI) when they adhered to a nutrition intervention that included a snack of peanuts, compared to those children who did not.
Anterior vs. posterior: Does surgical approach impact hip replacement outcomes? The surgical approach to total hip replacement (THR)—either from the front of the body or the side/back (anterior versus posterior)—has no impact on outcomes six months after surgery, according to research presented today at the 2016 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).
	Cholera quietly still kills dozens a month in Haiti More than a dozen people reclined on cots inside the clinic in the Haitian capital, a few so sick they were receiving intravenous infusions to rehydrate their bodies and spare them an agonizing death.
Sierra Leone religious groups believe abortion law a lost battle As the president of Sierra Leone equivocates over signing a bill to extend abortion provision in a country with sky-high maternal mortality rates, its powerful religious authorities believe the battle against it is already lost.
Bill has tougher rules for new Kentucky abortion clinics New Kentucky abortion clinics would have to meet more strict medical standards before they could open under a bill that has cleared a state Senate committee.

Biology news

Without ancestral gene life on Earth might not have evolved beyond slime Researchers at the University of British Columbia have identified a common ancestral gene that enabled the evolution of advanced life over a billion years ago.
	Seventy generations of bacteria When the first antibiotics became available 70 years ago, they were often described as miracles of human ingenuity, rather like plastics or bright permanent dyes, which were discovered at roughly the same time. Packaged in vials or pills, they seemed like our inventions rather a chance gift of evolution and one that evolution might also rescind.
	Some bacterial CRISPRs can snip RNA, too You've probably seen news stories about the highly lauded, much-discussed genome editing system CRISPR/Cas9. But did you know the system was actually derived from bacteria, which use it to fight off foreign invaders such as viruses? It allows many bacteria to snip and store segments of DNA from an invading virus, which they can then use to "remember" and destroy DNA from similar invaders if they are encountered again. Recent work from a team of researchers including Carnegie's Devaki Bhaya demonstrates that some bacteria also use the CRISPR/Cas system to snip and recognize segments of RNA, not just DNA. It was published by Science.
Researchers figure out similarities in brain architecture between birds and apes Some groups of birds are mentally just as smart as apes. This is the conclusion drawn by Prof Dr Onur Güntürkün from the Ruhr-Universität Bochum and Prof Dr Thomas Bugnyar from the University of Vienna in a review article in the journal Trends in Cognitive Sciences. The researchers compiled numerous neuro-anatomic studies which revealed many similarities in the brains of birds and mammals. These similarities may constitute the foundation of complex cognitive behaviour.
	Beetles assert dominance by being a lover not a fighter, new research shows Beetles that demonstrate same-sex sexual behaviour may be asserting dominance over rival males without having to resort to fighting, a new study has shown.
	Researchers investigate why seed bugs have evolved extremely long male genitals By the looks of it, size should be a big thing when it comes to seed bugs mating, but it only matters when more than one mating partner is around to choose from. That is what researchers Liam Dougherty and David Shuker of the University of St Andrews in Scotland found when investigating the mating strategies of two closely related black and red coloured seed bugs. The male sexual organs of these insects can be up to two-thirds the length of their bodies. The findings are published in Springer's journal Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology.
	DNA 'scrunching' occurs as RNA polymerase selects a position to begin synthesizing RNA A research collaboration that combines novel "big-data" informatics tools with expertise in basic biology has uncovered details of an essential process in life: how a crucial enzyme locates the site on DNA where it begins to direct the synthesis of RNA. This finding may aid in the discovery of new antimicrobial medicines, and the powerful technological approaches developed for this research may shed light on other essential cellular processes.
	Parasites help brine shrimp cope with arsenic habitat contamination Artemia (the scientific name of the small crustacean that is also commonly known as 'sea monkey') is famous for being able to live in extreme environments and has become a model organism used to test the toxicity of chemicals in water. In addition, Artemia can produce dormant eggs, known as cysts, that can be stored for long periods and hatched on demand to provide a convenient form of live feed for the seafood industry, and 2000 tonnes of Artemia cysts per year are sold worldwide.
	For females, a little semen may go a long way For most guys in the animal kingdom, sex is a once-and-done event. Females from species like rabbits and cows get sperm from their mates and not much else. But in a Forum article published March 3 in Trends in Ecology & Evolution, researchers suggest that these limited encounters can supply resources to females in seminal fluid, and females might have evolved to seek out such seminal resources, even when the amount of fluid is small.
Experts focus on function to develop resilient microbial communities for biotechnologies Resilience is an important concept these days, in everything from human communities restoring order after natural disasters to microbial communities recovering from a chemical spill. However, there's no agreement on how resilience should be defined and measured. One scientific body identified 47 definitions of resilience used in diverse areas, including engineering, ecology, sociology, economics, and psychology. Yet, understanding resilience in microbial communities is a critical component to engineering them for biotechnologies or predicting how they will respond to a changing environment. These communities must be able to recover quickly from an environmental change so their function is stable over time.
	Higher available phosphorus requirements determined in young Ross 308 male broilers Wageningen UR Livestock Research conducted a doses-response study to determine the available P (aP) requirement of Ross 308 male broilers. Birds received diets with varying aP contents in the range of 75% to 137.5% of the current CVB (2012) recommendations.
	First golden jackal spotted in the Netherlands On 19 February 2016 a golden jackal (Canis aureus) was spotted in the Veluwe nature reserve. It is the first sighting of this animal species in the Netherlands. This was done with the help of a camera trap. At the request of the park warden the exact location will not be made known.
	Rapid evolution in mouse genitalia tracked down to small collection of genes Different species of mice tend to look pretty much the same with one significant exception:
	Tiny island deer in Panama hunted to extinction thousands of years ago As polar ice caps melted at the end of the last Ice Age about 8,500 years ago, the global sea level rose and Panama's Pearl Islands were isolated from the mainland. A new archaeological study by a team including a Smithsonian scientist shows that several thousand years later pre-Columbian colonists hunted a dwarf deer to extinction on an island called Pedro González.
	New maps reduce threats to whales, dolphins Scientists have created highly detailed maps charting the seasonal movements and population densities of 35 species of whales, dolphins and porpoises—many of them threatened or endangered—in the crowded waters of the U.S. East Coast and Gulf of Mexico.
	Scientists discover a new kind of stem cell Scientists at Michigan State University have discovered a new kind of stem cell, one that could lead to advances in regenerative medicine as well as offer new ways to study birth defects and other reproductive problems.
	A synthetic biology approach for a new antidote to coral snake venom Coral snake venom carries significant neurotoxicity and human injuries can be severe or even lethal. Despite this, antivenom treatments are scarce due to challenges collecting adequate amounts of venom needed to produce anti-elapidic serum. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases highlights exciting new research from the Butantan Institute in Brazil using synthetically designed DNA to produce coral-snake antivenom.
Scientists reveal alternative route for cell death Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have uncovered a new pathway for mitochondrial cell death that involves the protein BCL-2 ovarian killer otherwise known as BOK. The discovery, which is described online in the journal Cell, may lead to new ways to trigger cell death in some types of cancer cells.
	Warm ocean could mean early boom in 2016 lobster catch Maine's lobster catches will likely peak early this year, which could mean an abundance of cheap lobster for consumers and bad news for the state's signature industry, a group of scientists reported on Thursday.
	US seeks end to Yellowstone grizzly protections The federal government is proposing to lift threatened-species protections for hundreds of Yellowstone-area grizzlies, opening the door to future hunts for the fearsome bears across parts of three states for the first time since the 1970s.
	Asian wildlife traders harness social media: conservationists Social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram are increasingly being used in Asia as platforms for the illegal trade in a range of threatened species such as orangutan and sun bears, conservation groups said Thursday.
	'Alarming' rise in S. Sudan wildlife slaughter: conservationists All sides in South Sudan's civil war have slaughtered wildlife including elephant, giraffe and antelope, conservationists said Thursday, warning huge efforts must be made to protect the surviving animal population.

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