Science X Newsletter Monday, Oct 17

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for October 17, 2016:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

How quantum effects could improve artificial intelligence

A novel approach to studying a star's environment from light curves

Biocompatible fibers could use light to stimulate cells or sense signs of disease

Best of Last Week – Everlasting quantum coherence, dispelling Rayleigh's curse and eating protein when dieting

Using light to move electrons and protons

Scientists create most efficient quantum cascade laser ever

Quantum computers: 10-fold boost in stability achieved

Finding needles in chemical haystacks

This robot can work up a sweat doing pushups

China launches its longest crewed space mission yet (Update)

Tesla says it hopes to work with Panasonic on solar energy

Europe steers lander towards Mars surface

Europe's Mars orbiter is healthy says 'relieved' ESA (Update)

New messaging apps gain traction in workplace

'That pizza was #delish!' What do Tweets say about our health?

Astronomy & Space news

	A novel approach to studying a star's environment from light curves There are now about 2700 confirmed exoplanets discovered by transiting techniques including those used with the Kepler satellite. The transit method observes the stellar light curve (the flux versus time), and spots the slight dimming of starlight when an exoplanet crosses the face of the star as seen from Earth. The orbital period of the exoplanet can be determined from multiple transits, with the duration and details of the transit dip providing a measure of the planet's size. Light curves actually monitor a number physical processes including some at the stellar surface (like sunspots) as well as in their surroundings. Periodic variability of the observed stellar flux has long been used to measure stellar rotation periods, for example; transiting exoplanets produce a characteristic shape in the light curve.
	China launches its longest crewed space mission yet (Update) Two Chinese astronauts began the country's longest crewed space mission yet on Monday, blasting off on a spacecraft for a 30-day stay on an experimental space station as China steadfastly navigates its way to becoming a space superpower.
	Europe steers lander towards Mars surface Europe sent a tiny lander on a three-day, million-kilometre (621,000-mile) trek to the Martian surface Sunday to test-drive technology for a daring mission to scout the Red Planet for evidence of life.
	Europe's Mars orbiter is healthy says 'relieved' ESA (Update) UPDATE: Ground controllers re-established full links Sunday with a European-Russian Mars orbiter which worryingly stopped sending status updates after releasing a lander on a three-day trek to the Red Planet's surface.
	Mars explorer duo on course: ESA European-Russian spacecraft were on course for Mars Monday after crucial deep-space manoeuvres in preparation for a daring mission to find evidence of life on the Red Planet.
	First launch for Orbital's Antares rocket since '14 blast Orbital ATK is poised to launch an Antares rocket Monday for the first time since a massive explosion after liftoff two years ago en route to the International Space Station.
	In space, the looming threat of a new arms race Killer satellites, blinding lasers, sophisticated jammers: the world's military powers are quietly readying for a war in outer space—at the risk of fueling a dangerous new arms race.
	Unusual lunar-grazing Aldebaran eclipse visible Tuesday, October 18 across US As seen from a path about a mile wide extending from Los Angeles, California, to Denver, Colorado, and on to Minnesota south of Minneapolis (and further east, to Lake Superior and Labrador), the bright star Aldebaran's angular diameter will be evident to anyone using binoculars or a small telescope (weather permitting) as the star rapidly fades in and out multiple times among mountains near the moon's north pole. The fades can last even over a second to cover the star's disk, which subtends 120 feet at the moon's distance, as it is repeatedly covered and uncovered by the craggy lunar edge. In some cases, the star will fade, but not completely disappear, then reappear to full brilliance as a small hill covers only part of the star. Similarly, "faint flashes" can be seen as a shallow lunar valley drifts by. Aldebaran is the 13th brightest star in the sky (not counting the sun) and is the brightest star that is eclipsed (astronomers use the term "occulted") by the moon. A small-scale plot of the path is shown on the map that was produced by Sky & Telescope magazine using data that I supplied; an article about the graze is on page 48 of the October issue of that magazine.
	CubeSat for Australian Defence innovation ready to fly A state-of-the-art miniature satellite that will play an important role in developing Australian Defence space capability is ready for launch into orbit after passing gruelling tests that simulate the harsh environment of space.
	Image: Antares Rocket Raising The Orbital ATK Antares rocket, with the Cygnus spacecraft onboard, is raised into the vertical position on launch Pad-0A, Friday, Oct. 14, 2016, at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.

Technology news

	This robot can work up a sweat doing pushups Meet Kengoro, a humanoid robot. A video starts with a rather surprising sight of a robot doing what looks like an expert floor exercise. You see the robot during its workout, using the strength of his hands and flexible, strong arms.
	Tesla says it hopes to work with Panasonic on solar energy U.S. electric car maker Tesla says it plans to start working with Japanese electronics company Panasonic Corp. on solar energy.
	New messaging apps gain traction in workplace Looking to break out of a "messy" email situation, the nonprofit group dosomething.org recently switched over to a new way of communicating among its far-flung teams.
	Little Cozmo robot fits in palm of hand and pet-loving hearts (Tech Xplore)—For $180 the Anki Cozmo is prepared to be a member of the household, playing games, exhibiting human-like personality traits and winning hearts. But that is also a problem. Four-legged family members may feel the burn of a new intruder.
	Repurposed sensor enables smartwatch to detect finger taps and other bio-acoustic signals A smartwatch is capable of detecting and distinguishing a variety of taps, flicks and scratches by the hands and fingers, and all that's required is a software upgrade that repurposes the device's existing accelerometer, Carnegie Mellon University researchers discovered.
Berlin tells Tesla: Stop ads with 'misleading' autopilot term Germany wants Tesla to stop advertising the "autopilot" function on its cars because it leads to false customer expectations, as the system comes under scrutiny following two fatal crashes.
Japan bans Galaxy Note 7 on airplanes over fire risk Japan has barred all Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones from airplanes, mirroring moves by US regulators and a string of carriers that banned the recalled devices over fire risk concerns.
Frankfurt fair shakes up book world with art, tech gadgets There will still be more books than you could ever read, but visitors to this week's Frankfurt Book Fair will also be invited to don virtual reality goggles, visit an interactive classroom and discover 3D-printed art as publishers plug into new technology.
	Software that automatically recognizes surfaces within complex three-dimensional images can benefit petroleum extraction The deep cracking faults that lie within the Earth's crust are significant geologic surfaces for oil exploration and earthquake prediction. A team from KAUST developed an algorithm that smoothly detects faults and other three-dimensional (3-D) surfaces with high computational efficiency even amid noisy and cluttered data sets.
	WhatsApp is secure and OK for politicians to use, provided simple steps are followed Australian politicians have been accused of risking national security by using the messaging app WhatsApp. At issue was the fact that the application had not been cleared by the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) and was not on the list of its "Evaluated Products".
	Supporting uptake of green gas Lucy Culleton of the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) has won the first European Biogas Association (EBA) Poster Award for her work supporting the introduction of biogas into Europe's gas networks.
	Offshore wind farm maintenance could soon be a breeze The EU-funded TOWERPOWER project is developing reliable new techniques to continuously monitor the structural condition of offshore wind turbines. Optimising maintenance and inspections is a key way to help the sector achieve cost efficiencies.
Computers should be named on patents as inventors for creativity to flourish New research published by the University of Surrey in Boston College Law Review is calling for inventions by computers to be legally granted patents. The research states that the rapid increase in computer power is posing new challenges when it comes to patenting an invention. Artificial intelligence is playing an ever larger role in innovation – with major players such as IBM, Pfizer and Google investing heavily in creative computing – but current patent law does not recognise computers as inventors.
	How gaming technology could hack crime scene investigations Sherlock Holmes could examine a crime scene with nothing but his immense powers of deduction and perhaps a trusty magnifying glass. But real investigators today have much more sophisticated technology at their disposal for carrying out the crucial task of documenting and analysing a crime scene. 3-D laser scanning, for example, allows investigators to quickly build a detailed and highly accurate computer model of the scene.
Robot babies from Japan raise all sorts of questions about how parents bond with AI Driven by a declining population, a trend for developing robotic babies has emerged in Japan as a means of encouraging couples to become "parents". The approaches taken vary widely and are driven by different philosophical approaches that also beg a number of questions, not least whether these robo-tots will achieve the aim of their creators.
Researchers study human reaction to sharing control with driverless car The first trials of the Venturer autonomous vehicle project, a Government backed research project, have focussed on a critical aspect in the field of autonomous vehicle (AV) technology.
	Could cryptocurrency help the 'bottom billion'? Many of the world's poorest poor don't have access to a bank account and yet depend on being able to transfer money across borders. Could digital currency help, ask researchers at the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance.
Researchers identify greater environmental risks in 'green' material Professors Ian Reaney, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and Lenny Koh, Management School, undertook the first comparative life cycle analysis of piezoelectric materials as part of an EPSRC project. Their findings indicate that a replacement for lead zirconate titanate (PZN), recommended by global authorities due to its green credentials, is more dangerous to the environment.
Australian, NZ carriers ban recalled Samsung phone Australian and New Zealand airlines barred the recalled Samsung Note 7 from all planes starting Sunday citing its "potential fire risk", after a similar ban was imposed by US officials.
	WikiLeaks: Assange's internet link 'severed' by state actor WikiLeaks says that founder Julian Assange's internet access has been cut by an unidentified state actor. Few other details were immediately available.
Wearable robots usher in next generation of mobility therapies Wearable robots that can anticipate and react to users' movement in real time could dramatically improve mobility assistance and rehabilitation tools.

Medicine & Health news

	'That pizza was #delish!' What do Tweets say about our health? "Coffee" was the most tweeted food in the continental U.S. between mid-2014 to mid-2015 followed by "beer" then "pizza". Besides hinting at which foods are popular, tweets may reveal something about our health. Communities that expressed positive sentiments about healthy foods were more likely to be healthier overall.
	Positive and negative memories and behaviors are split up in the brains of mice Like broccoli and ice cream on a toddler's plate, the brain also keeps nice and nasty information in separate places. Within the amygdala, an important memory center in the brain, pleasant experiences, tastes, and smells are confined to the back of the basolateral nucleus (BLA), while unpleasant ones are stored at the front. These anterior and posterior regions also interact in a push-pull manner, regulating behaviors tied to negative and positive stimuli, respectively. As reported on October 17 in Nature Neuroscience, these opposing neurons in the amygdala are not only physically separated but also genetically distinct.
	Leukemia cell movement gives clues to tackling treatment-resistant disease New research is shedding light on how leukaemia cells can survive cancer treatment, suggesting new possibilities for stopping them in their tracks.
	Genetic hallmarks of acute lymphoblastic leukemia subtype uncovered An international team of researchers from the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - Washington University Pediatric Cancer Genome Project (PCGP) and the Children's Oncology Group (COG) has identified the genetic changes that underpin a subtype of the most common cancer found in children. This form of B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) features genetic changes to two transcription factors known as DUX4 and ERG, proteins that closely control the activities of other crucial genes in human blood cells. The findings are published online today in the journal Nature Genetics.
	Scientists uncover new facets of Zika-related birth defects In a study that could one day help eliminate the tragic birth defects caused by Zika virus, scientists from the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have elucidated how the virus attacks the brains of newborns, information that could accelerate the development of treatments.
	Scientists uncover genetic explanation for frustrating syndrome Scientists at the National Institutes of Health have identified a genetic explanation for a syndrome characterized by multiple frustrating and difficult-to-treat symptoms, including dizziness and lightheadedness, skin flushing and itching, gastrointestinal complaints, chronic pain, and bone and joint problems. Some people who experience these diverse symptoms have elevated levels of tryptase—a protein in the blood often associated with allergic reactions. Multiple copies of the alpha tryptase gene drive these tryptase elevations and may contribute to the symptoms, according to a new study led by investigators at NIH's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).
	Short walks after meals may prove important tool in managing diabetes New research from New Zealand's University of Otago suggests that people managing type 2 diabetes should walk after meals to gain the greatest blood sugar-lowering benefits.
	Here's how young people decide when they're drunk 'enough,' according to math Young people decide whether they've had enough to drink the same way the cruise control on a car "decides" whether to accelerate or hit the brakes.
	Promise of gene therapy for glaucoma shines bright in award-winning image Whether you see the gossamer wings of a butterfly or the delicate opened petals of a flower, there is beauty in the eye of the beholder—a mouse retina described and visually captured by scientists at the National Center for Microscopy and Imaging Research (NCMIR) at University of California San Diego School of Medicine and Shiley Eye Institute at UC San Diego Health.
Foster care children at much greater risk of physical, mental health problems Children who have been in the U.S. foster care system are at a significantly higher risk of mental and physical health problems - ranging from learning disabilities, developmental delays and depression to behavioral issues, asthma and obesity - than children who haven't been in foster care, according to a University of California, Irvine sociologist.
Close proximity of slum dwellers could be answer to health problems A new study suggests that the 'neighbourhood effect' of slums could help to alleviate some of their associated health problems.
Could assisted reproduction reduce birth defects for older women? Babies born to women aged 40 and over from assisted reproduction have fewer birth defects compared with those from women who conceive naturally at the same age, according to new research from the University of Adelaide.
	Neural signature for fibromyalgia may aid diagnosis, treatment University of Colorado Boulder researchers have discovered a brain signature that identifies fibromyalgia sufferers with 93 percent accuracy, a potential breakthrough for future clinical diagnosis and treatment of the highly prevalent condition.
	Bomb detecting technology can be used for early dementia diagnosis A technique for detecting Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) is being used to identify vitamins in the bloodstream linked to dementia.
	Study finds a new way that tobacco smoke can cause cancer A recent study led by University of Kentucky researchers illuminates a new way that tobacco smoke may promote the development of lung cancer: inhibiting a DNA repair process called nucleotide excision repair (NER). The results of the study were published in the journal PLoS ONE.
	Study shows that a type of surgery improves the quality of life for patients with myocardial bridging In 2010, Ingela Schnittger, MD, a cardiologist at the Stanford University School of Medicine, sat in her lab examining the echocardiogram of a young man who came to the heart clinic at Stanford Health Care complaining of chest pain. She spotted a curious motion of the heart on the computer screen, one that she'd seen before while examining these kinds of diagnostic heart tests.
Emergency facilities a vital key to Ebola survival Emergency health facilities could be the key to survival for Ebola patients, an international study involving University of Queensland researchers has found.
Study with diabetes drug measures how extra calories caused weight loss plateau Analysis of a trial that used the drug canagliflozin found that as people lost weight, their appetite increased proportionately, leading to consumption of more calories and weight loss plateau (leveling off). The findings provide the first measurement in people of how strongly appetite counters weight loss as part of the body's feedback control system regulating weight. Results are currently available on BioRxiv and will publish in Obesity during Obesity Week 2016.
	Faster access to patient information results in improved emergency care Electronic access to prior medical records results in a better, less costly patient experience in the emergency department on a number of fronts, according to new University of Michigan research.
	Urgent reform needed to make midwife-led maternity care more accessible Maternity services in Australia are in urgent need of reform to deliver a better experience for more women and a better use of 21st-century midwifery education.
	Some people really do whistle while they work—here's why Whistling is not always an activity to pass the time or express happy thoughts.
	Pre-term babies to learn night from day Researchers at The University of Western Australia aim to improve health outcomes for pre-term babies by restoring the infants' natural sleep-wake cycle. The cycle, commonly known as the circadian rhythm, is vital to healthy growth and development.
	Brain stimulation is getting popular with gamers – is it time to regulate it? Gamers are increasingly turning to brain stimulation devices to enhance their performance. Using small, gentle electrical currents sent between two or more electrodes placed on a person's head, these transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) devices manipulate brain cells' activity.
	Cold medicine could stop cancer spread Hokkaido University researchers have discovered that a nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drug used for treating colds suppresses the spread of bladder cancers and reduces their chemoresistance in mice, raising hopes of a future cure for advanced bladder cancers.
Towards increasingly personalised fracture risk assessment In people over 50 years of age, fractures are so common that for example one in three women will suffer a wrist, ankle or hip fracture during their life. Low-energy fractures caused by bone weakening are one manifestation of osteoporosis. These fractures are painful and considerably weaken the patient's quality of life and, in the worst case scenario, can even lead to death.
New drug combination shows promise in tackling leukaemia treatment resistance Early testing of a new drug combination that attacks the most common form of leukaemia on multiple fronts has shown great promise in targeting cancer cells.
How character traits influence cheating in organized sports What drives professional sportspeople to break the rules of their sport in the hope that they won't get caught – and in the hope that it will bring glory to them and their team?
	The lasting legacy of early nutrition In a long-term, collaborative, EU-funded project led by LMU's Berthold Koletzko, researchers have studied the lasting impact of early nutrition on health. A conference now underway in Munich highlights the latest results of their efforts.
	Diagnosing fetal alcohol disorder more easily Early-childhood clinicians such as pediatricians and child psychologists are often the first to raise the alarm for families with children who exhibit developmental disorders, such as fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). But pediatricians usually aren't specialists, and the hallmarks of FASD can be subtle. A new tool developed by neuropsychologists at San Diego State University could make it easier for doctors to recognize signs that might indicate an FASD diagnosis and recommend more precise screening.
	Database of natural movements to feed machine-learning algorithms for prostheses Most amputees use purely aesthetic prostheses. They find it difficult to accept a robotic limb that is not only by and large complicated to use but also has somewhat unnatural motion. Most of the models on the market today can only execute a few simple gestures, for example opening and closing the fist, and often in a very jarring way. Furthermore, users can't always properly control the magnitude of the movement, which adds a safety risk to the mixture.
Cardiologists say new calcium supplement study is no reason to panic A study recently published in the Journal of the American Heart Association is prompting headlines like "Calcium supplements might hurt your heart."
	Genetic discovery helps explain Irish giant folklore Scientists at the University of Exeter Medical School were part of genetics research which could help explain the legend of giants in Irish folklore.
	Why coulrophobia is no laughing matter As the Halloween season gets into full flow, the English-speaking world is currently experiencing a wave of 'creepy clown' sightings that first began in the United States but has now spread to the UK, Canada and Australia. Most have been confirmed as copycat hoaxes but the distress and anxiety caused to victims is very real indeed – and consequently, there has been increased interest in the scientific and psychological reasons as to why clowns are able to instil such a feeling of terror into so many people.
Embryonic white blood cells needed in adulthood Leukocytes which arise during the embryonic period regulate iron metabolism and the growth of the mammary gland in adults.
How an untested drugs scandal could lead to better clinical practice Cancer researchers and patients from all over the world can learn valuable lessons from a recent Brazilian scientific scandal, according to a new policy paper published in ecancermedicalscience.
	Bad relationships increase risk of infection in both mother and child Pregnant women dissatisfied in their relationship have an increased risk of infectious diseases. This also affects their children.
In crafting new treatments for hemophilia, a 'less is more' approach Hematology researchers have found that blocking the role of a common protein may offer unexpected benefits for patients with the inherited bleeding disorder hemophilia A. The finding offers potential for developing both gene therapy and more effective protein replacement treatments for hemophilia A, the most common form of hemophilia. In hemophilia, patients are unable to properly control bleeding.
Pregabalin may lessen pain from irritable bowel syndrome, study finds A pilot study by researchers at Mayo Clinic has found that patients suffering from pain related to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may benefit from taking pregabalin, a neuro-pain inhibitor commonly used to treat fibromyalgia. The results of the study were presented today at the annual meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology in Las Vegas.
Fruit-rich mediterranean diet with antioxidants may cut AMD risk by more than a third People who closely follow the Mediterranean diet - -especially by eating fruit—may be more than a third less likely to develop age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness, according to a study presented today at AAO 2016, the 120th annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. The study is the first to identify that caffeine may be especially protective against AMD.
	Study applies math to describe tumor growth Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) has carried out a study that mathematically explains how tumors induce the growth of blood vessels. The study maintains that the tips of the blood vessels expand like a soliton, a solitary wave similar to a tsunami.
Exercising the elderly heart: No value in overexertion The more, the merrier, but don't sweat too much. That's the basics from an analysis about the value of physical activity and exercise in helping to prevent heart disease related deaths among senior citizens. It highlighted the protective value that participating frequently in more than one type of activity has, but without doing so to the extreme. The study, led by Ying Kuen Cheung of Columbia University in the US, and conducted in collaboration with investigators at the University of Miami, is published by Springer in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
	SWAT team of immune cells helps reduce infection rates in babies after cleft lip surgery The mouth is widely considered the dirtiest part of the human body, yet babies have surprisingly low infection rates following cleft lip and palate surgery.
	Study suggests gut bacteria can aid recovery from spinal cord injury Researchers from The Ohio State University have discovered that spinal cord injury alters the type of bacteria living in the gut and that these changes can exacerbate the extent of neurological damage and impair recovery of function. The study, "Gut dysbiosis impairs recovery after spinal cord injury," by Kristina A. Kigerl et al., which will be published online October 17 ahead of issue in The Journal of Experimental Medicine, suggests that counteracting these changes with probiotics could aid patients' recovery from spinal cord injuries.
Reducing risk of lung distress in preterm babies Currently, corticosteroids are recommended for women at high risk of preterm birth between 23 and 33 weeks of pregnancy, but not after. A new meta-analysis compiling evidence from six clinical trials confirms earlier work suggesting that at-risk babies may benefit from steroids after 34 weeks and suggests that babies born to mothers who had a scheduled cesarean section after 37 weeks may benefit as well. The study was published in The BMJ on October 12.
Understanding the epidemiology of fractures in diabetes Due to the ageing of populations as well as increasing obesity and adverse lifestyle factors, type 2 diabetes (T2D) is reaching epidemic proportions in many parts of the world. People with diabetes have been shown to be at higher risk of fracture, with the relative risk of hip fracture up to seven-fold higher in patients with type 1 diabetes and approximately 1.3-fold higher in patients with type 2 diabetes. Nevertheless, most patients with diabetes are never assessed for osteoporosis and, as shown by recent data, they are less likely to be prescribed treatment for osteoporosis than persons without diabetes.
	Estrogen signaling impacted immune response in cancer While the role of estrogen signaling in tumor development is well understood in breast and ovarian cancer, its role in anti-tumor immunity has not been extensively studied. However, new research from The Wistar Institute showed that estrogen signaling was responsible for immunosuppressive effects in the tumor microenvironment across cancer types.
	High doses of caffeine didn't induce arrhythmias in patients with heart failure A small randomized clinical trial found that drinking high doses of caffeine did not induce arrhythmias in patients with systolic heart failure and at high risk for ventricular arrhythmias, results that challenge the perception that patients with heart disease and risk for arrhythmia should limit their caffeine intake, according to a new study published online by JAMA Internal Medicine.
Talking to terminally ill adolescents about progressing disease A new review article published online by JAMA Pediatrics uses a hypothetical case scenario to explore the ethics, emotions and skills for talking to terminally adolescents about their progressing disease.
Did quality of outpatient care change from 2002 to 2013? Local, regional and national efforts have aimed to improve deficits in the quality of health care and the patient experience. So did the quality of outpatient care for adults in the United States change from 2002 to 2013?
Psychology paper authors range from Dr. Phil to the Dalai Lama Professional psychologists are not the only experts contributing to psychology research, according to a new paper from Binghamton University and Emory University.
Better prognosis for some PCI patients when operators perform more procedures Volume matters when it comes to who does certain procedures to removing heart-attack causing blockages from arteries, according to a new study published today in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.
	Cervical cancer screening could be less frequent, start later Women may only need cervical cancer screening every 5-10 years—instead of every three years, as currently recommended—and may be able to start the screenings later in life, according to a new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
	Short episodes of abnormal heart rhythm may not increase risk of stroke People with pacemakers or defibrillators who experience only short episodes of an abnormal heart rhythm known as atrial fibrillation have a very low risk of stroke, suggesting that anticoagulants in this group of patients were not likely to reduce the risk for stroke, according to new research in the American Heart Association's journal Circulation.
New statement provides guidance-potential interactions between statins and some heart disease drugs A new scientific statement from the American Heart Association provides guidance on how to manage the drug interactions of cholesterol-lowering medications called statins with other select heart disease medications.
Lack of health insurance and low socioeconomic status increase mortality in newborns Higher numbers of newborns die from sepsis if their families have low income or no health insurance. These factors may be used to flag pregnant women whose infants may benefit from early intervention to protect against sepsis. Findings from the first nationwide study to evaluate socioeconomic characteristics that influence neonatal mortality from sepsis were reported at the 2016 Clinical Congress of the American College of Surgeons (ACS).
England's national drugs policy is failing, warn experts Hard lessons need to be learnt from England's failing national drug policy following the steep rise in drug related deaths since 2012, warn public health experts in The BMJ this week.
Hip fracture deaths higher in small- and medium-sized hospitals than in teaching hospitals The risk of death after hip fracture is higher for patients in small- and medium-sized hospitals than in teaching hospitals in Canada, found a study published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
'Weekday effect' not a risk factor for death from elective surgery The day of the week that elective surgery is performed in Ontario does not affect a patient's risk of death, according to a new study published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
Wearable fitness tracker monitors patients' postoperative functional recovery at home A new way for surgeons to know how well their patients are regaining physical function after a major abdominal operation could be as simple as patients wearing a fitness wristband to count their steps. Results of a new study, presented at the 2016 Clinical Congress of the American College of Surgeons, show that monitoring patients' postoperative functional recovery using a commercially available, wireless activity tracker is feasible, and strongly correlates with patients' reported postoperative complications.
Portugal to levy sugar tax on soft drinks Portugal's Socialist government will introduce a sugar tax on soft drinks in 2017 which is expected to raise 80 million euros ($88 million) for the nation's public health service, a budget bill presented Friday showed.
New advances in imaging to enhance the detection of GI cancers A new imaging technique is under development with the aim of detecting and characterising early cancerous changes in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
New study links protein in wheat to the inflammation of chronic health conditions Scientists have discovered that a protein in wheat triggers the inflammation of chronic health conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, asthma and rheumatoid arthritis, and also contributes towards the development of non-coeliac gluten sensitivity.
	Doctors hail China's pledge to stop harvesting inmate organs Surgeons from around the world gathered at a conference in Beijing on Monday in China's latest effort to fight persistent skepticism about whether its hospitals have stopped performing transplants with the organs of executed prisoners.
Opinion: Brexit and Trump are bad for our health Politics in America and Europe may be increasingly isolationist, but deadly pathogens aren't. Votes for Brexit and Donald Trump may in fact be votes for worsening pandemics and fewer doctors and researchers to fight them.
	A neural code for emotion Our daily experience rides along the backdrop of a dynamic stream of mental states, characterized by spontaneous changes is mood or emotion. For instance, as you take an important exam and perform above expectations, your emotions may fluctuate from anxiety to frustration, followed by surprise and finally contentment. These changes in mood are a defining feature of the human experience, but how do they arise from the underlying stream of neural activity? In their new PLOS Biology study, researchers from Duke University used functional MRI (fMRI) to capture brain signals of emotion, discovering that patterns of brain activity during rest can decode an array of emotional experiences.
	Alabama parents drive distracted with children in the car Researchers in the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Pediatrics found that Alabama parents living in suburban areas use cellphones in the speaker mode, read and send text messages, and surf the web slightly more often than parents in rural areas.
Study results may help patients after ACL surgery A new study provides critical information on how osteoarthritis may arise after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.For the study, 30 athletes underwent gait analysis 6 months after ACL reconstruction.
	Identified a key protein in the generation of B lymphocytes Researchers of the Cellular Differentiation Group at the Epigenetics and Cancer Biology Program at IDIBELL, led by researcher Maribel Parra, have identified a transcriptional repressor, the histone deacetylase HDAC7, involved in the generation and the identity of B lymphocytes, the cells responsible to create antibodies in our immune system. The results of the study, published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine, show that HDAC7 is essential in the generation of B lymphocytes.
Starving pancreatic cancer cells: Scientists identify potential pancreatic cancer target Researchers have found that a protein called SLC6A14 is overexpressed by several fold in pancreatic tumors taken from patients and in cancerous pancreatic cells lines compared with normal pancreatic tissue or normal pancreatic cells. SLC6A14 transports amino acids into cells to help with cellular metabolism.
	Mutations in FTO and dopamine receptor genes increase risk of obesity and diabetes In the development of obesity and diabetes, signals from the brain play an important role. Here an important neurotransmitter is dopamine. DZD scientists from Tübingen and Munich, together with Swedish and American colleagues, have investigated how mutations in the obesity risk gene FTO and variants of the dopamine D2 receptor gene interact. Their results suggest that people in whom both genes are altered have a higher risk of developing obesity and diabetes.
Understanding why potentially inappropriate medications are continued at the end of life A recent interview study has uncovered factors that may contribute to the use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) at the end of life.
Sofosbuvir/velpatasvir in CHC: Hint of added benefit in two of ten subindications The drug combination sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (trade name: Epclusa) has been approved since July 2016 for the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). In an early benefit assessment, the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) has now examined whether the combination has an added benefit for the patients. In the assessment, a distinction was made regarding type of virus (genotype 1 to 6) and liver status (without cirrhosis, with compensated cirrhosis, and with decompensated cirrhosis). According to the findings, an added benefit in comparison with the respective appropriate comparator therapy was not proven for eight of ten research questions because no suitable study data were available. There was a hint of considerable added benefit for one research question, and a hint of a non-quantifiable added benefit for another one.
	Replacing diet beverages with water may help diabetic patients lose weight In a study of 81 overweight and obese women with type 2 diabetes who usually consumed diet beverages and were on a weight loss program, those who substituted water for diet beverages after their lunch for 24 weeks had a greater decrease in weight (-6.40 vs. -5.25 kg) and body mass index (-2.49 vs. -2.06 kg/m2) compared with those who continued to consume diet beverages.
PepsiCo pledges healthier offerings PepsiCo set new targets for more healthful food and beverages Monday and announced pledges to reduce product packaging and limit water use.
Depleting CAR T cells after tumor treatment reverses B cell deficiency in mice Genetically engineered T cells, or CAR T cells, represent a promising approach to treat multiple types of cancer. These therapies can eliminate tumors by targeting specific markers that are expressed on different cancer cell types. CAR T cell treatments for B cell-associated cancers have been particularly successful in eradicating tumors. These treatments destroy tumor cells expressing CD19, a protein that is upregulated at the early stages of B cell development. Unfortunately, because CAR T cells persist after a patient goes into remission, continual targeting of CD19 can lead to long-term depletion of healthy B cells.
	Having HIV and chronic HBV/HCV coinfection may increase cancer risk In HIV-infected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART), chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection is associated with an increased risk for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The findings are published in Annals of Internal Medicine.
	Antiviral protein hampers TBE virus Research at Umeå University in Sweden presents a new discovery: the protein viperin can prohibit tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) from multiplying in the cell. It also limits the amount of functional viruses that can leave the cells.
Ultraviolet air sterilizer reduces sepsis and mortality in cardiac surgery patients An ultraviolet air steriliser reduces sepsis and mortality in cardiac surgery patients, according to research presented today at Acute Cardiovascular Care 2016.
Avatar-based application improves symptom recognition in heart attack survivors An avatar-based application improves symptom recognition in heart attack survivors, reveals research presented today at Acute Cardiovascular Care 2016 by Jintana Tongpeth, a PhD student at the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia.
20 percent of emergency department visits preventable, of which half are cardiovascular disease Twenty percent of emergency department (ED) visits are preventable, of which half are for cardiovascular disease, reveals research presented today at Acute Cardiovascular Care 2016.

Biology news

	'Super yeast' has the power to improve economics of biofuels Scientists at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC) have found a way to nearly double the efficiency with which a commonly used industrial yeast strain converts plant sugars to biofuel. The newly engineered "super yeast" could boost the economics of making ethanol, specialty biofuels and bioproducts.
	Genomics breakthrough paves way for climate-tolerant wine grape varieties A new sequencing technology, combined with a new computer algorithm that can yield detailed information about complex genomes of various organisms, has been used to produce a high-quality draft genome sequence of cabernet sauvignon, the world's most popular red wine grape variety, reports a UC Davis genomics expert.
	Viruses found to attack ocean archaea far more extensively than thought (Phys.org)—A team of researchers with members from Italy, Australia, the U.S. and Japan has found that viruses are the main culprit in killing archaea in the deep sea. In their paper published in the journal Science Advances, the researchers describe the techniques they used to study archaea in soil samples from multiple deep ocean locations, what they found and what it could mean for global warming.
	Scientists grow mouse eggs from stem cells in lab Japanese scientists said Monday they had grown mouse eggs entirely in the lab, then fertilised them to yield fertile offspring, a scientific first cautiously hailed by experts in human reproduction.
	Beyond genes: Protein atlas scores nitrogen fixing duet Of the many elusive grails of agricultural biotechnology, the ability to confer nitrogen fixation into non-leguminous plants such as cereals ranks near the very top.
	Biologists first to observe direct inheritance of gene-silencing RNA The basics of genetic inheritance are well known: parents each pass half of their DNA to their offspring during reproduction. This genetic recipe is thought to contain all of the information that a new organism needs to build and operate its body.
	Biologists uncover molecular mechanism that regulates animal's ability to sense the rate of temperature change In classic experiments on frogs, scientists found that the amphibians' urge to escape from dangerously hot water decreased significantly when the water temperature rose very gradually.
	New evidence for California Condors' genetic bottleneck The existing genetic diversity of California Condors, all of which are descended from just 14 individuals, is strikingly low. But were condors more genetically diverse before their 20th century population crash, or were they already, as one paleontologist put it in the 1940s, a Pleistocene relict with "one wing in the grave"? The researchers behind a new study in The Condor: Ornithological Applications analyzed samples from condor museum specimens dating back to the 1820s and found that the historical population was surprisingly diverse, but that a substantial amount of that diversity was lost in the last two centuries. This finding supports the hypothesis that condors were fairly widespread and abundant prior to increases in human-caused mortality, which likely drove their numbers down quickly in the 1800s and early 1900s.
	Much ado about poo: Feces fuels Hawaii feral feline debate Two wildlife issues have collided in Hawaii, pitting one group of animal defenders against another in an impassioned debate. The point of contention? Deadly cat poop and the feral felines that produce it.
	World's oldest giant panda in captivity dies in Hong Kong The world's oldest ever giant panda in captivity died on Sunday aged 38 at a Hong Kong theme park, officials said.
	Craze for hornbill 'ivory' pushes Borneo icon to the brink A striking bird with monochrome plumage and a formidable "beak", the helmeted hornbill is being hunted to extinction, one of the latest victims of a thriving global trade in exotic wildlife.
	Indonesia turtles find new freedom as they scurry into sea A group of turtles scurried down a beach and glided into the sea, enjoying their newfound freedom after being cared for at an Indonesian conservation centre.
	How a hunting boom left the Amazon Basin with 'empty rivers' The fashion for wild animal skins and furs drove a hunting boom in the Amazon basin through the 20th century. A mass industry sprung up almost overnight and the hides of otters, jaguars or alligator-like caimans were soon being shipped round the world to be turned into coats, hats or accessories. The Amazon rainforest, and the animals that live there, are still feeling the impact today.
	Investigating space microgravity effects on antibiotic resistance of E. coli The E. coli AntiMicrobial Satellite (EcAMSat) mission will investigate space microgravity effect on the antibiotic resistance of E. coli, a bacterial pathogen responsible for urinary tract infection in humans and animals. EcAMSat is being developed through a partnership between NASA's Ames Research Center and the Stanford University School of Medicine. Dr. A.C. Matin is the Stanford University Principal Investigator. EcAMSAT is slated for launch in late 2016.
	All-female hybrid fish species "uses" males for better genetics Some species are comprised of female-only members, giving themselves a competitive advantage over species that produce both male and female offspring. Since the females are capable of bearing offspring, they can quickly outnumber other species in which half the population – the males – do not. However, these all-female species are disadvantaged due to a lack of variety in their gene composition. This affects their ability to develop genetic adaptations to environmental changes and parasitic attacks – and thus their long-term survival as a species.
	New bacterial pathogen found in corn in Texas A new bacterial pathogen, bacterial streak, was found in the Texas Panhandle corn crop this year, and while its effects were inconsequential, it bears watching in the future, according to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service specialists.
	Why we should bother saving Britain's only venomous snake The adder, Vipera berus, was one of the first venomous snakes formally named by Linnaeus in 1758. It is the most northerly occurring snake, and one of the most widely distributed species, found everywhere from the UK to Sakhalin island, Russia. It is also the only venomous snake in Great Britain. Despite this, centuries of bad press for the adder, ranging from folklore to Shakespeare, have left its mark.
	Study shows fracking could threaten Britain's richest wildlife habitats The whole Areas of Great Britain earmarked for fracking may contain some of the country's richest wildlife sites, scientists have found in the biggest ever mapping study of UK biodiversity.
	Why we need pesticides to feed the world In recent weeks and days the use of pesticides has again been in the headlines.
	Two studies describe the function of PrPc, the 'good' alter ego of prions Two new studies coordinated by SISSA reveal important details about the physiological function of the prion protein, the non-pathological form of the notorious prion, the degenerate protein responsible for several diseases including "mad cow disease." According to the new findings, the protein in its physiological form serves the important function of promoting the growth of neurites, the neural projections along which nerve impulses travel. The two studies ideally complement each other in that one, published in the Journal of Cell Science, provides a general overview and the other, published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, focuses on a specific stage in the process, which it describes with unprecedented completeness and detail.
	Team makes progress in RNA research Pathogenic bacteria use small RNA molecules to adapt to their environment. Infection researchers from Würzburg have now pinpointed a protein involved in regulating the activity of these molecules.
	Study finds local fidelity key to ocean-wide recovery of humpback whales Humpback whales can migrate thousands of miles to reach feeding grounds each year, but a new study concludes that their fidelity to certain local habitats - as passed on through the generations - and the protection of these habitats are key to understanding the ultimate recovery of this endangered species.
	Bait worms are a valuable marine resource The humble bait worm wriggling on the hook at the end of angler's line may be considered a low value resource, but in the first global assessment of its value and impact, researchers have revealed it to be a multi-billion pound global industry worth nearly £6 billion per year.
	On Philippine isle, research pinpoints 'bull's-eye' of biodiversity Colonial plunder, crime, tribal factions, sectarianism, drug running, piracy, animal poaching, illegal logging and destructive mining practices—all of which add up to wholesale environmental exploitation. The island of Mindanao in the southern Philippines has seen it all and more.
	Saving California's seals and sea lions We tend to think of famine in human terms. But animal populations also experience wide-spread hunger, and the hundreds of emaciated young seals and sea lions stranded on California beaches in the past year were a poignant example.
	Indonesian police seize tiger skin, deer genitals Three Indonesian men have been arrested for allegedly trading in protected species, with police seizing animal parts including a tiger skin, deer genitalia and pangolin scales, an official said Monday.
	How will salmon survive in a flooded future? As torrential rain descends on the Pacific Northwest, new research published online in the journal Global Change Biology provides a glimpse of how salmon rivers might fare in a future with larger floods.

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