Science X Newsletter Monday, Oct 10

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for October 10, 2016:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Self-learning computer tackles problems beyond the reach of previous systems

As hunt for sterile neutrino continues, mystery deepens

Tropical bats found to use carotenoids for skin coloration

Simulations show how to turn graphene's defects into assets

Best of Last Week–Building the smallest transistor, maximum human lifespan reached and awarding of Nobel science prizes

Was the secret spice in primal gene soup a thickener?

New kind of supercapacitor made without carbon

Metamaterial uses light to control its motion

Lab-grown stem cells regenerate monkey hearts: study

Curved edge display in concept phone turns corners with good looks at Sharp

Germany conducting inquiry into Tesla autopilot system

As arable land disappears, here come the vertical farmers

Tech giants race for edge in artificial intelligence

South Africa basks in continent's first solar-powered airport

Drones carrying medicines, blood face top challenge: Africa

Astronomy & Space news

	Mars-bound astronauts face chronic dementia risk from galactic cosmic ray exposure Will astronauts traveling to Mars remember much of it? That's the question concerning University of California, Irvine scientists probing a phenomenon called "space brain."
	Hubble peers into the center of a spiral This Hubble image shows the central region of a spiral galaxy known as NGC 247. NGC 247 is a relatively small spiral galaxy in the southern constellation of Cetus (The Whale). Lying at a distance of around 11 million light-years from us, it forms part of the Sculptor Group, a loose collection of galaxies that also contains the more famous NGC 253 (otherwise known as the Sculptor Galaxy).
	Preparing to study the epoch of reionization The epoch when the very first stars appeared is a key period of cosmic history. These stars began the manufacture of the chemical elements (those heavier than hydrogen and helium) and their light began the reionization of the neutral cosmic gas. These stars thus mark the dawn of the universe as we know it today and the start of the so-called Epoch of Reionization. The term "reionization" refers to the process whereby these atoms are prompted (by the ultraviolet light from new stars) to shed some of their electrons. Astronomers estimate that this period occurred a few hundred million years or so after the big bang.
	Comet dust under the microscope Comet dust from the Rosetta mission is providing insights into the origins of our solar system. A research project focusing on the dust, which is supported by the Austrian Science Fund FWF and being carried at the Space Research Institute (IWF) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, has direct access to data from a high resolution atomic force microscope on board the Rosetta orbiter.
	Image: Star trails seen from low Earth orbit Astronauts on the International Space Station captured a series of incredible star trail images on Oct. 3, 2016, as they orbited at 17,500 miles per hour.
Video: Fireball lights up the sky, screen for researchers Western researchers have released footage of a basketball-sized fireball seen widely by observers throughout southern Ontario early Friday morning, Oct. 7.
	Image: Nebula with spiral arms The two spiral arms winding towards the bright centre might deceive you into thinking you are looking at a galaxy a bit like our Milky Way. But the object starring in this image is of a different nature: PK 329-02.2 is a 'planetary nebula' within our home galaxy.

Technology news

	Curved edge display in concept phone turns corners with good looks at Sharp (Tech Xplore)—Bring it on. That seemed to be a fairly strong reaction this week from those who found out about Sharp's phone concept going curvy—and looking oh so good. Reader comments included "Beautiful," and "Take my money."
	Germany conducting inquiry into Tesla autopilot system Germany said Saturday it was still investigating the operation of the autopilot system on cars made by electric automaker Tesla, as German media reported an internal ministerial report called it "dangerous".
	Tech giants race for edge in artificial intelligence Major technology firms are racing to infuse smartphones and other internet-linked devices with software smarts that help them think like people.
	South Africa basks in continent's first solar-powered airport At first glance there's nothing out of the ordinary about the regional airport in George, a town of just 150,000 residents on South Africa's south coast.
	Drones carrying medicines, blood face top challenge: Africa At first, the drone took some explaining. Anxious villagers buzzed with rumors of a new blood-sucking thing that would fly above their homes. Witchcraft, some said.
	MeQuanics: Let's play quantum computation for serious results (Tech Xplore)—Can a 3-D puzzle become a favored tool of quantum software engineers? There is reason to hope for Japan-based Simon Devitt at the Center for Emergent Matter Science, Riken. Just play meQuanics, a 3-D puzzle game and he and colleagues will be very happy. The more players, the more hope they carry for their mission. (We will get to that in a minute.)
	Historic Solar Impulse team planning drone Circling the globe in an aircraft that used no fuel would be enough for some to rest on their laurels, but the pilots of Solar Impulse 2 on Monday spoke of their new project.
	Facebook launches intra-office 'Workplace' network Social network giant Facebook on Monday launched new global product Workplace, a platform that it hopes will replace intranet, mailbox and other internal communication tools used by businesses worldwide.
	'Sensing skin' detects cracks, harmful chemicals in structures Researchers have developed a multi-layered "sensing skin" to detect corrosive or otherwise harmful substances in structures. The skin can also detect cracks and other structural flaws that are invisible to the naked eye.
	Facebook launches smartphone app for event seekers Facebook on Friday released a mobile app for finding local happenings to enjoy with friends.
New Hampshire college heats campus with used cooking oil Things are heating up at New Hampshire's Keene State College, which is now using 100 percent used cooking oil to keep more than a third of its campus warm.
	Brothers behind Ubisoft locked in real-life battle for control Nothing in the farming background of the Guillemot brothers, who hail from the remote Brittany region, destined them to one day do battle with France's most feared corporate raider.
Facebook pays more UK tax after outcry Facebook paid £4.17 million ($5.18 million, 4.63 million euros) in British corporation tax last year, up from just £4,327 in 2014, accounts showed Sunday.
	Samsung changes Note 7 output schedule after fire reports Samsung's crisis with its Galaxy Note 7 smartphone deepened Monday as the company confirmed it has adjusted its production following reports that newly released versions offered as replacements for recalled fire-prone devices have also overheated or caught fire.
	Shared workspaces hit the Indian startup scene Every weekend, the partiers flood into a New Delhi restaurant and dance club called Social, a three-story destination on the edge of Hauz Khas Village, one of the city's most popular nightlife neighborhoods.
	AT&T halts replacements of Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phones US telecommunications company AT&T announced Sunday it would halt exchanges of recalled Samsung Galaxy Note7 smartphones pending investigations that the new versions could still have fire-prone batteries.
	Investor-owned utilities may be better prepared to handle catastrophic weather Investor-owned utility companies may be better prepared than municipal utility companies to deal with catastrophic weather conditions and subsequent power outages, according to a new paper from Rice University economist Richard Boylan.
	A future world full of driverless cars... seriously?! Driverless cars are an engineer's dream. At last, a technology that promises to remove the human factor from the traffic system.
	Twitter: 17M-plus tweets sent about the debate, most ever Twitter says Sunday's presidential debate was the most tweeted ever, with more than 17 million tweets related to the forum sent.
	Drones create 3-D maps to demonstrate carbon storage 3-D model generating drones may soon be measuring Western Australia's rangelands to ocean carbon footprint.
	Three ways organic electronics is changing technology as we know it One day, your latest gadget won't be in your pocket like a phone or even wrapped around your wrist like a smartwatch, but stuck to your skin like a transparent plaster. Researchers at the University of Tokyo are the latest group to attempt to make this kind of "optoelectronic skin," with an ultra-thin, flexible LED display that can be worn on the back of your hand.
Amid breach talk, some Yahoo users finding it hard to exit As Yahoo's embattled email service suffers through a slew of bad news, some users are finding it hard to leave.
	Insider Q&A: What's hard about streaming TV online As more people watch TV over the internet, the entertainment industry has "to get on board with it," said Roger Lynch, the CEO of Sling TV.
Upper-limb amputee builds computer controller for feet Once an avid video gamer, Gyorgy Levay stopped playing when he lost his hands to a meningitis infection six years ago.
	Worried about your Samsung Note 7? Here are your options Worries about the safety of Samsung's replacement Galaxy Note 7 smartphones have consumers fretting about what to do. And they're getting little guidance from the company.
Study shows knowledge gap with in-car technology Hyundai and BMW customers are the most satisfied with their in-vehicle technology, but those brands and others still need to work on educating drivers about what their cars can do, according to a new survey by the market research company J.D. Power and Associates.
Hacking the election: questions and answers The US government's accusation that Russian government-directed hacking aimed to disrupt the November election comes amid fears about the security of the voting process.
Bayer: won't use Monsanto buy to force GM seeds on Europeans The CEO of Germany's Bayer AG is promising it won't use its planned acquisition of Monsanto Co. to force genetically modified crops on skeptical Europeans.

Medicine & Health news

	Lab-grown stem cells regenerate monkey hearts: study In a step forward for organ regeneration, stem cells grown from a single monkey's skin cells revitalised the damaged hearts of five sick macaques, scientists reported Monday.
	Brain modulyzer provides interactive window into the brain Did you know that your brain processes information in a hierarchy? As you are reading this page, the signal coming in through your eyes enters your brain through the thalamus, which organizes it. That information then goes on to the primary visual cortex at the back of the brain, where populations of neurons respond to very specific basic properties. For instance, one set of neurons might fire up because the text on your screen is black and another set might activate because there are vertical lines. This population will then trigger a secondary set of neurons that respond to more complex shapes like circles, and so on until you have a complete picture.
	Study probes soda company sponsorship of health groups The nation's two largest soda companies sponsored at least 96 national health organizations from 2011 to 2015, dampening the health groups' support of legislation to reduce soda consumption and impeding efforts to combat the obesity epidemic, Boston University researchers say in a new study.
	Cell protein offers new hope in fighting the effects of aging A protein found within the powerhouse of a cell could be the key to holding back the march of time, research by scientists at The University of Nottingham has shown.
Stem cells from jaw bone help repair damaged cartilage Columbia College of Dental Medicine researchers have identified stem cells that can make new cartilage and repair damaged joints.
	Genetic signature linked to cancer prognosis identified Researchers from the Medical Research Council (MRC) Cancer Unit at the University of Cambridge have identified a genetic signature related to metabolism associated with poor patient prognosis. The results of the analysis of 8,161 tissue samples could in the future help clinicians decide how best to treat a patient as well as aid the development of new targeted treatments.
	Moderate video gamers show enhanced perception and attention skills, research reveals People who play video games for even a small amount of time have superior perception and attention skills to those who don't play at all, new research suggests.
	Head-to-head comparison reveals human physicians vastly outperform virtual ones Increasingly powerful computers using ever-more sophisticated programs are challenging human supremacy in areas as diverse as playing chess and making emotionally compelling music. But can digital diagnosticians match, or even outperform, human physicians?
	Researchers identify genes related to vitiligo For the past decade, Richard Spritz's lab at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus has been searching for potential causes of vitiligo, an autoimmune disease that gives rise to patches of white skin and hair.
	Device can predict tumor responses by measuring cell growth after drug exposure Choosing the best treatment for a cancer patient is often an inexact science. Drugs that work well for some patients may not help others, and tumors that are initially susceptible to a drug can later become resistant.
	Novel mechanism in drug combination shows potential for treating leukemia, other cancers Researchers have discovered a novel mechanism in a combination drug therapy that shows potential as a new approach for treating acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and many other cancers. When combined, these agents cause interactions that significantly disrupt cancer cells' ability to survive DNA damage, according to a preclinical study published today in the journal Cancer Cell.
	Common pair of drugs linked to increased risk for fatal heart condition with data science Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center and the Data Science Institute at Columbia University have uncovered a potentially dangerous drug interaction using data science. Their findings were published in the latest issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
	Alzheimer's disease could be treated with gene therapy, animal study suggests Researchers have prevented the development of Alzheimer's disease in mice by using a virus to deliver a specific gene into the brain.
New impetus for treatment neurodegenerative diseases Twenty years ago, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) seemed a promising target in the treatment of brain diseases like multiple sclerosis or Alzheimer's Disease. But clinical trials produced disappointing results. Now University of Groningen scientists and a group of European colleagues have made an important discovery that explains the failure of these trials, and points the way to promising new treatments. The results were published on 10 October in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
	Heart signaling map sheds light on the molecular culprits behind cardiovascular disease Having a big heart is not always a virtue and, from a physiologist's point of view, it can be deadly. An enlarged heart is a hallmark of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and, despite being the most common inherited disease of the heart muscle, doctors don't really know why it occurs. But that could now change as a new University of Toronto study begins to shine light on the molecular causes behind DCM.
Phase I study of novel anti-cancer drug uses tumor mRNA expression to identify responders The first-in-human dose escalation study of the pan-FGFR (fibroblast growth factor receptor) inhibitor BAY 1163877 in patients with treatment-refractory locally advanced or metastatic solid tumours were reported today at the ESMO 2016 Congress in Copenhagen. The novel compound uses messenger RNA (mRNA) in tumours to identify patients who will respond.
Niraparib significantly improves outcome of ovarian cancer patients in landmark trial The PARP inhibitor niraparib significantly improves the outcome of platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer, according to full data from the ENGOT-OV16/NOVA trial presented for the first time at the ESMO 2016 Congress in Copenhagen and published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). The trial met its primary endpoint, with niraparib considerably prolonging progression-free survival compared to placebo.
Ipilimumab as adjuvant therapy improves overall survival in high risk stage III melanoma Ipilimumab as adjuvant therapy significantly improves overall survival in patients with high risk stage III melanoma, according to the EORTC 18071 phase III trial results presented for the first time today at the ESMO 2016 Congress in Copenhagen.
Obesity-linked conditions are projected to rise sharply in children Researchers' global estimates indicate that by 2025, some 268 million children aged 5 to 17 years may be overweight, including 91 million obese, assuming no policy interventions have proven effective at changing current trends.
Nivolumab reduces symptoms in relapsed metastatic head and neck cancer Nivolumab maintains function and reduces symptoms in treatment of relapsed metastatic head and neck cancer, according to results from the CheckMate 141 trial presented at the ESMO 2016 Congress in Copenhagen and published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
	'Game-changing' immunotherapy doubles head and neck cancer survival An immunotherapy drug has been hailed as a potential 'game changer' after being found to greatly improve survival for patients with relapsed head and neck cancer - a disease which is notoriously difficult to treat.
	Study finds significant cost differences between breast cancer chemotherapy regimens Costs associated with different breast cancer chemotherapy regimens can vary significantly, regardless of effectiveness, according to new research from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Understanding cost differences can help guide informed discussions between patients and physicians when considering chemotherapy options.
Are natural alternatives to estrogen replacement therapy safe? Although individuals often consume natural products because of their potential health benefits, a new review indicates that it is not clear whether the benefits of plant-derived compounds that mimic estrogen outweigh the possible health risks. The findings are published in the British Journal of Pharmacology.
	Back surgery doesn't knock all NFL players out of the game: study (HealthDay)—Most professional football players who have surgery for an injured disc in the upper spine return to play and perform at a high level, a new study contends.
	Dental bacteria generally not tied to rheumatoid arthritis (HealthDay)—Antibodies to periodontal bacteria are generally not associated with elevated risk of rheumatoid factor (RF), according to a study published in the October issue of Arthritis & Rheumatology.
First human clinical trial for nicotinamide riboside In the first controlled clinical trial of nicotinamide riboside (NR), a newly discovered form of Vitamin B3, researchers have shown that the compound is safe for humans and increases levels of a cell metabolite that is critical for cellular energy production and protection against stress and DNA damage.
	WHO sees further rise of Zika cases in Asia-Pacific region Zika infections are expected to continue rising in the Asia-Pacific region, where authorities are increasing surveillance, preparing responses to complications and collaborating on information about the disease, the World Health Organization said Monday.
New 'beacon' method detects cancer recurrence A new detection method for tumour recurrence in bowel cancer patients is proving to be twice as effective as regular treatment.
Cortisol-free rheumatoid arthritis medication found effective for rare eye disease A well-known rheumatoid arthritis medication containing the active agent adalimumab, a therapeutic human monoclonal antibody, is also effective for treating non-infectious uveitis, a rare eye disease. This has now been discovered by an international research group, in which MedUni Vienna was also involved with significant participation by Talin Barisani-Asenbauer of the Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology & Immunology and the Laura Bassi Center at MedUni Vienna. The results of the VISUAL-I study have now been published in the leading journal New England Journal of Medicine.
	Opinion: How context makes conflict trauma hard to understand, and not just for Trump When US presidential hopeful Donald Trump jumped with characteristic abandon into the debate over post-traumatic stress disorder, his comments that some veterans are not "strong enough" to handle the mental stresses of combat were broadly criticised. War veterans, and the media, were quick to respond, many (though not all) furious at the Republican nominee's ignorance of, and insensitivity towards, a complex injury that affects many. Psychological injury, after all, is rarely a private affair, with families, friends, and colleagues at the receiving end of depressive bouts, violence and substance abuse.
	Why 'baby talk' is good for your baby People often tell new parents to avoid sing-song "baby talk" with their new addition to the family because it will slow the child's language development.
Midbrain study gives boost to Parkinson's research Two research teams at Karolinska Institutet have identified the dopamine-producing cells in the midbrain of mice and humans. They have also developed a method of assessing the quality of in-vitro cultured dopamine-producing cells, which can be of great benefit to research on Parkinson's disease. The results are published in the academic journal Cell.
	ADHD linked to 'lifelong trajectory of disadvantage' University of Queensland researchers are calling for a greater focus on addressing common mental disorders in children to avoid a potential 'tsunami' of long-term issues in adulthood.
	Global burden of mental and substance use disorders remains high More effort is needed to reduce the global and Australian burden of mental and substance abuse disorders – the world's leading cause of disability – University of Queensland researchers say.
	Methadone provides pain relief for kids with sickle cell Many children with sickle cell disease experience frequent and severe pain episodes, requiring emergency room visits or hospitalization. In search of more effective ways to treat such pain, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found that adding a low dose of the drug methadone to standard treatment can limit pain experienced by children with the condition.
	Traditional surgery style worthwhile, says piles trial Results of a five year trial on haemorrhoids (commonly known as piles), jointly sponsored by NHS Highland and the University of Aberdeen, have this week been published in The Lancet, one of the world's oldest and best known medical journals.
	Intestinal diversity protects against asthma Children who develop asthma or allergies have an altered immune response to intestinal bacteria in the mucous membranes even when infants, according to a new study from Linköping University, Sweden, and Center for Advanced Research in Public Health, Spain. The results also suggests that the mother's immune defence plays a role in the development of asthma and allergies in children.
Cabozantinib improves progression-free survival in metastatic renal cell carcinoma Cabozantinib significantly improves progression-free survival and response rate in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma compared to sunitinib, according to research presented today at the ESMO 2016 Congress in Copenhagen.
Longer disease-free survival in phase III trial of sunitinib as adjuvant treatment for kidney cancer A phase III trial of sunitinib has met its primary endpoint of disease-free survival for adjuvant treatment of high-risk renal cell carcinoma after nephrectomy, researchers report at the ESMO 2016 Congress in Copenhagen.
Fewer indications of ADHD in children whose mothers took vitamin D during pregnancy Children of mothers who took vitamin D during pregnancy with resultant high levels of the vitamin in the umbilical blood have fewer symptoms of ADHD at the age of two and a half years.
ICU ventilators overused with advanced-dementia patients Mechanical ventilation may be lifesaving, but in certain patient cases it may prolong suffering without a clear benefit.
How the stomach talks to the brain We eat because we're hungry – and for a thousand other reasons too: for pleasure, out of frustration, or because we're stressed. We've known for a long time that the digestive tract and the brain together determine our eating habits. And finding out how they do this is becoming increasingly relevant, given the current spread of overweight, obesity and type-2 diabetes.
	Effects of multiple concussions in retired rugby players later in life There continues to be concern about the long term effects of concussion and repeated concussion in athletes, including boxers and rugby players who may sustain several concussive injuries throughout their career.
	Economic uncertainty sparks suicide Younger and older males in the USA are more likely to commit suicide at times of increased policy-related economic uncertainty, according to a new study.
	Diabetes: new hope for better wound healing A sluggish insulin metabolism results in the slow and incomplete healing of injuries. That is why diabetics often have to contend with wounds that heal poorly. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, the CMMC, the CECAD Excellence Cluster and the Institute of Genetics of the University of Cologne have now gained new insights into the underlying cellular mechanisms. Their findings could lead to the development of new treatment methods.
	Smart drug clears fat from liver and blood Scientists of Helmholtz Zentrum München and Technische Universität München have developed a 'smart' drug that safely clears the liver of fat and prevents blood vessels from clogging up. Similar to a trojan horse, the drug enters the liver with a trick: It uses the pancreatic hormone glucagon as vehicle to shuttle thyroid hormone T3 the live while keeping it away from other organs, thereby improving cholesterol and lipid metabolism while avoiding typical side effects of thyroid hormone.
	Is it safe to wash my hands, doctor? A battle is waging about how often and how carefully we should wash our hands. Many allergy experts say it is vital for our future health and that of our children to reduce hand washing and allow friendly microbes back into our mouths. Some authors go as far as urging us to eat dirt. But other experts, such as those working on infectious diseases, say this is highly irresponsible and dangerous advice because of the recent rise in cases of food poisoning and transmission of viruses.
	The secret of the learning brain As we learn, something must change in our brain to store the information. Precisely what it is that is changing, and how it does so, remains a mystery. PhD student Rémy Kusters investigated what happens, at the smallest scales, in a single one of the quadrillion (a million times a billion) connections in our brain. By modeling the biophysical processes that take place there, he discovered that the shape of the connections plays a crucial role in regulating their strength. On Wednesday Oct 5, Kusters received his doctorate with honors (cum laude).
	Study questions rise of head and neck cancers in the UK In the first study of its kind researchers from the University of Liverpool's Institute of Translational Medicine have examined the possible reasons for the rapid increase in incidence of particular head and neck cancers in the UK.
	New study to tackle ADHD in young prisoners A new study led by researchers from King's College London, the University of Edinburgh and Imperial College London, will investigate whether a drug called methylphenidate (MPH) reduces symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and antisocial behaviour in young male prisoners with the disorder.
	Day care doesn't encourage weight gain in kids (HealthDay)—A child placed in day care is no more likely to gain too much weight than a child who stays home with a parent, a new study indicates.
Even partial steroid treatment can benefit extremely preterm infants, study suggests Steroids improve survival and reduce the chances of certain birth defects for extremely premature infants, even if the treatment course is not finished before delivery, according to a study funded by the National Institutes of Health. Steroids are a standard treatment for pregnant women likely to deliver before 34 weeks because these drugs are known to reduce the chance of complications and death among premature infants. However, because completing the entire course takes at least 48 hours, health care providers may opt not to begin treatment when premature delivery is imminent.
Is newborn screening for congenital cytomegalovirus infection cost effective? Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection is a leading cause of childhood hearing loss, cognitive deficits and visual impairments. Estimates suggest 20,000 babies are born with cCMV infection annually in the United States. However, universal newborn screening has not been adopted partly because of questions around cost-effectiveness.
	Does using same hospital bed as prior patient who received antibiotics increase risk of Clostridium? Antibiotics are a risk factor for Clostridium difficile infection, the most common cause of diarrhea in the hospital that is responsible for about 27,000 deaths annually in the United States. Exposure to C. difficile is common in hospitals because spores can persist in the environment for months. Antibiotics are one of many factors that increase a host's susceptibility to C. difficile.
	Research uncovers defender against cancer-promoting liver damage Most cases of liver cancer develop after long-term viral infection, chronic exposure to alcohol, or excessive accumulation of fat in the liver due to obesity. The liver reacts to those insults by trying to wall it off with scar tissue and calling in immune cells with inflammatory signals. If cancer arises, the resulting inflammation then stokes tumor progression.
Scientific methods identify potential antivirals against chikungunya Chikungunya virus has caused two recent massive outbreaks sickening millions of people. Now a team of researchers has shown that several existing compounds have potent activity against the critical CHIKV protease enzyme. The research is published October 10 in Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, published by the American Society for Microbiology.
	Reviewing the treatment of differences of sex development The Swiss National Science Foundation is providing funding for University Children's Hospital Zurich's scientific review of the treatment of children with differences of sex development (DSD children).
Bile duct cancer study sheds light on triggers that cause disease Scientists have identified a molecule that drives the development of bile duct cancer.
	New online app may help doctors predict risk of breast cancer recurrence Researchers led by Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center scientists report they have developed a free web-based app that could take some of the guesswork out of decisions to order an additional and costly molecular test for assessing risk for recurrence in women with early-stage breast cancer.
Triple-drug chemotherapy with topotecan helps preserve vision in retinoblastoma patients Revamping front-line multi-drug chemotherapy for retinoblastoma to include topotecan helped to maintain high cure rates for the eye cancer while preserving patients' vision and reducing their risk of treatment-related leukemia. Results of the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital study appear online today in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
	Common high blood pressure meds affect mood disorders Four commonly prescribed blood pressure medications may impact mood disorders such as depression or bipolar disorder, according to new research in the American Heart Association's journal Hypertension.
High blood pressure and brain health are linked High blood pressure, especially in middle age, is associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment later in life, according to a new statement from the American Heart Association.
	Emotional upset and heavy exertion may trigger a heart attack Being angry, emotionally upset or engaging in heavy physical exertion may trigger a heart attack, according to new research in the American Heart Association's journal Circulation.
	Parental absence in early childhood linked to smoking and drinking before teens Parental absence in early childhood as a result of death or relationship break-down is linked to a heightened risk of starting to smoke and drink alcohol before that child reaches his/her teens, indicates research published online in the Archives of Disease in Childhood.
	Six keys to a safe, allergy-free Halloween (HealthDay)—Halloween can be really scary for kids with asthma and allergies—and for their parents—unless they take precautions, an allergist advises.
	Ghrelin may predict cognitive impairment (HealthDay)—Blood levels of ghrelin may be a predictor of executive function impairment in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), according to a study published online Sept. 30 in the Journal of Diabetes Investigation.
	Communication facilitator beneficial in intensive care unit (HealthDay)—Adding a full-time trained communication facilitator in the intensive care unit (ICU) may improve quality of care while also reducing costs, according to a study published online Sept. 27 in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.
	Video-only CPR education noninferior to manikin training (HealthDay)—For high-risk cardiac patients, video-only (VO; no manikin) cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training is noninferior to training with a video self-instruction kit (VSI; with manikin), according to a study published online Oct. 4 in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.
	Compulsive exercise test valid for adults with anorexia (HealthDay)—The Compulsive Exercise Test (CET) is a valid and reliable self-report measure of compulsive exercise for adults with anorexia nervosa (AN), according to a study published online Oct. 3 in the International Journal of Eating Disorders.
	Daily intranasal steroid Tx not better for allergy relief (HealthDay)—Daily intranasal corticosteroids (INCS) are not superior to on-demand INCS or to antihistamine on demand for the treatment of pollen-related allergies in children, according to a study published online Oct. 3 in Allergy.
	Unique skin phenotype for pediatric atopic dermatitis (HealthDay)—Pediatric patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) have a different skin phenotype from that of adult patients, according to a study published online Sept. 23 in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
	Eight pre-op variables linked to post-op kidney function (HealthDay)—For adults undergoing surgery, eight preoperative variables, including low preoperative mean arterial blood pressure, are associated with postoperative kidney function, according to a study published online Oct. 5 in Anaesthesia.
	Hospitalizations in pregnancy, delivery stable for HIV-infected (HealthDay)—From 2004 to 2011 there was no increase in the number of hospitalizations during pregnancy and delivery for HIV-infected women, according to a study published in the October issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
	Most women feel PCPs are involved in breast cancer care (HealthDay)—Most women newly diagnosed with breast cancer perceive high primary care provider (PCP) quality, and report that their PCPs have high engagement and communication, according to research published online Oct. 3 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
The need to replace EpiPens regularly adds to concerns about cost As controversy about the pricing of EpiPens reverberates from Capitol Hill to school districts across the country, one recurring complaint from consumers is that the high cost is magnified because the drug expires quickly, forcing users to regularly bear the cost of replacing the medicine that saves lives in the event of a severe allergic reaction.
	Pricey new treatment raises questions about how to treat prostate cancer Men hoping to avoid some side effects of prostate cancer treatment are paying out tens of thousands of dollars for a procedure whose long-term effects are unknown and that insurers, including Medicare, won't pay for.
	Lab constraints delay Zika test results Houston-based Legacy Community Health Services , a federally qualified health center, is trying hard to fight the Zika virus. It's screening pregnant women and following federal guidelines to test people at risk.
	When the blues won't let you be Rini Kramer-Carter has tried everything to pull herself out of her dark emotional hole: individual therapy, support groups, tai chi and numerous antidepressants.
Ribociclib improves progression-free survival in advanced breast cancer The addition of the CDK4/6 inhibitor ribociclib to letrozole therapy significantly improves progression-free survival in postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive advanced breast cancer, researchers reported today at the ESMO 2016 Congress in Copenhagen.
Targeting estrogen receptor improves progression-free survival in advanced breast cancer Fulvestrant significantly increases progression-free survival in women with hormone-receptor-positive advanced breast cancer, particularly those with less aggressive lower-volume disease, researchers reported at the ESMO 2016 Congress in Copenhagen.
The UK's approach to health needs radical rethinking—its boldest since the founding of the NHS in 1948 As the NHS lurches from crisis to crisis, the UK's approach to health needs radical rethinking to create a healthy and health-creating society. Just as the founding of the NHS in 1948 was a great national movement creating a health service for everyone, today all sectors of society - from employers, teachers, designers, manufacturers, as well as citizens, community groups and government - need to come together to improve the health of the nation.
Immunotherapy: Promising results in first and second line treatment of metastatic bladder cancer Immunotherapy has shown promising results in first and second line treatment of metastatic bladder cancer in two phase II trials presented at the ESMO 2016 Congress in Copenhagen.
	Hurricane creates new crisis in Haiti, aid begins arriving Jislene Jean-Baptiste and her neighbors had little before Hurricane Matthew and now they have a lot less.
Ceritinib provides longer PFS than chemo in phIII trial of ALK rearranged lung cancer Ceritinib provides longer progression-free survival than chemotherapy in crizotinib-pre-treated patients with non-small-cell lung cancer harbouring an ALK rearrangement, according to results of the phase III ASCEND-5 study presented today at the ESMO 2016 Congress in Copenhagen.
Significant survival gains with atezolizumab vs docetaxel for non-small-cell lung cancer The first phase III study of PD-L1 inhibitor atezolizumab in previously-treated non-small-cell lung cancer has seen significant improvements in survival compared to standard chemotherapy, researchers reported today at the ESMO 2016 Congress in Copenhagen.
	Aid arrives in Haiti, but desperation grows in cut-off towns Helicopters are ferrying in food and medicine to devastated southwestern Haiti, but almost a week after Hurricane Matthew's assault life here is still far from normal and desperation is growing in communities where aid has yet to arrive.
	Report reveals why millions of people with osteoporosis remain undiagnosed and untreated Nyon, Switzerland - Approximately 80% of those who have already suffered a broken bone due to osteoporosis remain unprotected against the risk of further disabling fractures, according to a new report issued by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) in anticipation of World Osteoporosis Day.
New scientific test delivers greater insight to inform future scientific studies on e-cigs If you are a vaper, scientists want to know how you vape because understanding this is an essential first step to understanding how vaping products are used and the potential they may have to reduce harm caused by smoking.
70 percent of advanced cancer patients receive palliative care consultation at ESMO Designated Centres Seven out of 10 patients with advanced cancer receive a palliative care consultation at ESMO Designated Centres of Integrated Oncology and Palliative Care, according to survey results reported today at the ESMO 2016 Congress in Copenhagen.
First-line pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy significantly improves outcomes in advanced NSCLC The addition of PD-1 antibody pembrolizumab to standard first-line chemotherapy for treatment-naïve advanced non-small-cell lung cancer significantly improves response rates and progression-free survival, researchers reported at the ESMO 2016 Congress in Copenhagen today.
Custirsen shows no survival benefits in metastatic prostate cancer A phase III randomized controlled trial of custirsen in combination with cabazitaxel/prednisone in patients with previously-treated metastatic, castration-resistant prostate cancer has shown no significant survival gains compared to cabazitaxel/prednisone alone, according to data presented at the ESMO 2016 Congress in Copenhagen.
Significant survival gains from neoadjuvant chemotherapy for high-risk soft tissue sarcoma Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with an anthracycline plus ifosfamide was associated with significant survival gains in patients with soft tissue sarcoma of the trunk or extremities who are at high-risk of recurrence, in an interim analysis that led to the early discontinuation of a trial presented today at the ESMO 2016 Congress in Copenhagen.
MEK inhibition in KRAS-mutant NSCLC did not improve survival MEK inhibitor selumetinib in combination with docetaxel does not improve progression free or overall survival in individuals with KRAS-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), according to data presented at the ESMO 2016 Congress in Copenhagen.
	Uncovering the mechanisms that support the spread of ovarian cancer A very high mortality rate is associated with ovarian cancer, in part due to difficulties in detecting and diagnosing the disease at early stages before tumors have spread, or metastasized, to other locations in the body.
Copay assistance is the problem, not the solution to high drug prices Copay assistance is part of the drug pricing problem, not a solution to it, according to several health policy experts in a commentary published in Annals of Internal Medicine. The experts offer five reasons why programs like the one offered by Mylan, the pharmaceutical company responsible for the controversial Epi-Pen price hike, look like a boon for public health but are actually a recipe for higher healthcare costs.

Biology news

	Tropical bats found to use carotenoids for skin coloration (Phys.org)—In the pursuit of greater carotenoid bioavailability to ensure human health, researchers have sought other animal models of carotenoid function. Recently, a collaborative of biologists in Spain and Costa Rica published the results of a study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences demonstrating that frugivorous Honduran white bats color their skin with the deposition of the carotenoid lutein—the primary carotenoid for the preservation of the macula in human eyes. This is the first time a mammal has been shown to concentrate high levels of carotenoids in skin, and thus may provide a model for the understanding and enhancement of carotenoid function.
	Novel study identifies an area of the mosquito brain that mixes taste and smell A new study by Johns Hopkins researchers suggests that a specialized area of the mosquito brain mixes tastes with smells to create unique and preferred flavors. The findings advance the possibility, they say, of identifying a substance that makes "human flavor" repulsive to the malaria-bearing species of the mosquitoes, so instead of feasting on us, they keep the disease to themselves, potentially saving an estimated 450,000 lives a year worldwide.
	Understanding how plants withstand harsh conditions remains major research challenge Understanding how plants sense and cope with harsh conditions such as drought, too much salt in the soil or extreme temperatures could help researchers develop tougher crops—an essential step to improving agricultural productivity, environmental sustainability and global food security.
	Epigenetic repression suppresses genomic instability Susan Gasser and her group at the FMI have found the pathway through which eukaryotic organisms protect their genomes from rearrangements and deletions that arise from repetitive DNA. Human genomes, like those of simple animals like worms, are filled with repeat sequences, many being remnants of viral infections of the distant past. This repetitive DNA is usually kept silent. The transcription of these repeats into RNA was shown by the Gasser laboratory to generate toxic hybrids between RNA and DNA. These aberrant "R-loops" can lead to deletions and insertions, endangering the integrity of the genome. Keeping them silent is the task of a universally conserved epigenetic modification on histone H3: the methylation of lysine 9. While this modification also silences genes during development, is was shown to be dispensable for tissue differentiation in C. elegans; instead it serves to protect the genome from repeat-driven mutation.
	Study shows European eel migration not as uniform and simple as thought (Phys.org)—A team of researchers from across Europe has found that European eels do not spawn in the Sargasso Sea as a single reproductive cohort in the spring—instead, they found that some of the eels take much longer to reach their destination, and because of that, wait till the following year to spawn. In their paper published in the journal Science Advances, the team describes how they attached electronics tags to a large number of the eels to monitor their activity over the course of 10 years and what the data revealed.
	Why are our cells the size they are? New research from the University of Dundee has discovered that cells of average size are the Olympic athletes of the cellular world, performing better than those which are too big or two small.
	Scientists reveal how a little-known amoeba engulfed a bacterium to become photosynthetic About 100 million years ago, a lowly amoeba pulled off a stunning heist, grabbing genes from an unsuspecting bacterium to replace those it had lost.
	Pets or pests? Quaker parrots invade Madrid They may be cute, colourful and chatty, but South American quaker parrots have taken up residence in Madrid and other Spanish cities, irritating residents with their shrill squawks and destabilising the ecosystem.
	Iranian coastal waters: New home to a rarely seen venomous sea snake Günther's sea snake (Microcephalophis cantoris), a rarely seen venomous sea snake with distribution thought to stretch from the Malay Peninsula to Pakistan, has now been recorded from Iranian coastal waters off the western Gulf of Oman, more than 400 kilometers away from the westernmost boundary of its previously known range.
	Climate change could be a greater threat to tropical frogs than deforestation Changes in climate and land use are expected to reduce the livable area for tropical frogs because these species will increasingly encounter temperatures hot enough to harm their behavior, reproduction and physiology. Climate change, however, may be the most destructive force, according to a recent study involving a researcher from UC Berkeley.
	How cells move It's a known fact that cells can move around the body, but how they do it has been unknown – until now.
	Researchers demonstrate how a molecular barrel structure serves various functions in the mitochondria Freiburg researchers have discovered that the molecular barrel protein Mdm10 can carry out various functions for the development and maintenance of mitochondrial structure by binding to protein machines. Mitochondria are the cell's powerhouses, for instance producing the energy for cell metabolism. The team led by Prof. Dr. Nikolaus Pfanner and Dr. Thomas Becker from the University of Freiburg's Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology published the findings together with further colleagues in the journal Nature Communications.
	Mice sing like a jet-engine Mice court with love songs that are so high frequency they are inaudible to the human ear. New research published in Current Biology shows mice make their unique high frequency sounds in a surprising way that has only been observed by supersonic jet engines.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa – the molecular tools of a bacterial survivor The bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa can thrive in environments as different as the moist, warm tissue in our lungs, and the dry, nutrient-deprived surface of an office wall. Such adaptability makes it problematic in healthcare – where it causes infections in cases of cystic fibrosis, cancer, HIV, and other immune-compromised conditions – but also makes it a fascinating subject for study. How does Pseudomonas survive in so many environments? And can we use that knowledge to control it?

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