Science X Newsletter Monday, Oct 3

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for October 3, 2016:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Japan's Ohsumi wins Nobel for studies of cell 'self-eating' (Update 2)

New magnetic cataclysmic variable star discovered

Researchers bring theorized mechanism of conduction to life

Best of Last Week—An alternate theory of how life started, SpaceX's mission to Mars and the problem with narcissism

Our galaxy's most-mysterious star is even stranger than astronomers thought

Dynamic duo: Biochemists describe cooperative halves of life-critical enzyme

Narcissists may start out popular, but people see through them in the long run

Reservoirs play substantial role in global warming

'Sun and rain' detail how nanoparticles can escape from plastic coatings into the environment

US cuts cord on internet oversight

Five decisions that made the Nobel Prizes look bad

New twist in SpaceX rocket blast probe

Software star Google expected to flex hardware muscle

IEEE P802.3bz: New Ethernet standard ratified

Toyota's tiny robot sells for under $400, talks, can't drive

Astronomy & Space news

	New magnetic cataclysmic variable star discovered (Phys.org)—A new magnetic cataclysmic variable (CV) star has been detected by astronomers in the constellation of Draco. The newly found object, designated DDE 32, exhibits a large amplitude variability with one of the shortest orbital periods - about 100.5 minutes. The findings are reported in a paper published Sept. 27 on the arXiv pre-print server.
	Our galaxy's most-mysterious star is even stranger than astronomers thought A star known by the unassuming name of KIC 8462852 in the constellation Cygnus has been raising eyebrows both in and outside of the scientific community for the past year. In 2015 a team of astronomers announced that the star underwent a series of very brief, non-periodic dimming events while it was being monitored by NASA's Kepler space telescope, and no one could quite figure out what caused them. A new study from Carnegie's Josh Simon and Caltech's Ben Montet has deepened the mystery.
	New twist in SpaceX rocket blast probe The mysterious explosion of a SpaceX rocket last month took an odd turn with a "cordial" encounter between staff of Elon Musk's firm and fierce rival United Launch Alliance, The Washington Post reported.
	Image: Hubble explores the hidden dark side of NGC 24 This shining disk of a spiral galaxy sits approximately 25 million light-years away from Earth in the constellation of Sculptor. Named NGC 24, the galaxy was discovered by British astronomer William Herschel in 1785, and measures some 40,000 light-years across.
	Millisecond pulsars When a star with a mass of roughly ten solar masses finishes its life, it explodes as a supernova, leaving behind a neutron star as remnant "ash." Neutron stars have masses of one-to-several suns but they are tiny in diameter, only tens of kilometers. They spin rapidly, and when they have associated magnetic fields, charged particles caught in them emit electromagnetic radiation in a lighthouse-like beam that can sweep past the Earth with great regularity every few seconds or less. These kinds of neutron stars are called pulsars, and they are dramatic, powerful probes of supernovae, their progenitor stars, and the properties of nuclear matter under the extreme conditions that exist in these stars.
	ESO's dustbuster reveals hidden stars In this new image of the nebula Messier 78, young stars cast a bluish pall over their surroundings, while red fledgling stars peer out from their cocoons of cosmic dust. To our eyes, most of these stars would be hidden behind the dust, but ESO's Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy (VISTA) sees near-infrared light, which passes right through dust. The telescope is like a giant dustbuster that lets astronomers probe deep into the heart of the stellar environment.
	Researchers explore possibilities of growing plants on Mars Tucked away in a Florida Institute of Technology lab, a would-be Martian garden grows.
	Curiosity rover begins next Mars chapter After collecting drilled rock powder in arguably the most scenic landscape yet visited by a Mars rover, NASA's Curiosity mobile laboratory is driving toward uphill destinations as part of its two-year mission extension that commenced Oct. 1.
	It's never been more important to keep an eye on space weather As technology becomes increasingly vital in our day-to-day lives, we are more susceptible to "space weather". What begins with dark spots on the Sun's surface, and magnetic field disruptions in the Sun's atmosphere, can result in widespread technological disturbance. With our increasing reliance on telecommunications and other technologies, monitoring what happens in space has never been more important.
	Shrinking Mercury is all it's cracked up to be Amid all the crashing onto comets and planning trips to Mars, you may be forgiven for missing a wonderful scientific result from NASA: the discovery that tiny Mercury joins Earth as the only other tectonically active rocky planet.
	Emotion and tears in mission control as Rosetta comes to a silent end It's over. Really over. The Rosetta spacecraft has taken its last image, sniffed its last gasp and held its final press conference. To a chorus of sighs from the assembled scientists and engineers, the mission came to a quiet end. Immediately, the audience of 300 or so gathered in the European Space Operation Centre's auditorium, got to its feet and gave a spontaneous standing ovation to the flight team in mission control who had overseen the delicate and, ultimately, terminal manoeuvre.
	How feasible are Elon Musk's plans to settle on Mars? A planetary scientist explains Mars is the future. It's after all NASA's current overarching goal to send humans to the Red Planet. But even as early as the 1950s, aerospace engineer Wernher von Braun, had published his vision of a mission to Mars in his book The Mars Project. We've also heard visions of settling the Red Planet under the leadership of a private organisation before. So why does Elon Musk get so much attention? And how feasible are his ideas?
	What happens when galaxies collide? We don't want to scare you, but our own Milky Way is on a collision course with Andromeda, the closest spiral galaxy to our own. At some point during the next few billion years, our galaxy and Andromeda – which also happen to be the two largest galaxies in the Local Group – are going to come together, and with catastrophic consequences.
	How many dogs have been to space? Becoming an astronaut is a rare honor. The rigorous selection process, the hard training, and then… the privilege of going into space! It is something few human beings will ever be privileged enough to experience. But what about other species of animal that have gone into space? Are we not being just the slightest bit anthropocentric in singling out humans for praise?
	What does Earth look like from Mars? Modern astronomy and space exploration has blessed us with a plethora of wonderful images. Whether they were images of distant planets, stars and galaxies taken by Earth-based telescopes, or close-ups of planets or moons in our own Solar System by spacecraft, there has been no shortage of inspiring pictures. But what would it look like to behold planet Earth from another celestial body?
	What are CubeSats? One of the defining characteristics of the modern era of space exploration is the open nature of it. In the past, space was a frontier that was accessible only to two federal space agencies – NASA and the Soviet space program. But thanks to the emergence of new technologies and cost-cutting measures, the private sector is now capable of providing their own launch services.

Technology news

	US cuts cord on internet oversight The US government on Saturday ended its formal oversight role over the internet, handing over management of the online address system to a global non-profit entity.
	Software star Google expected to flex hardware muscle A high-profile Google event Tuesday is widely expected to show a new emphasis on hardware, challenging rivals Apple and Amazon and launching a new strategy for the online giant.
	IEEE P802.3bz: New Ethernet standard ratified (Tech Xplore)—A new Ethernet standard is born. The IEEE has set the new standard for five times the speed without disruptive cable changes, said Network World.
	Toyota's tiny robot sells for under $400, talks, can't drive The new robot from Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corp. can't do much but chatter in a high-pitched voice.
	Engineer develops 'micro-swimmer' with goal of navigating blood system Science fiction through the ages has inspired scientific discoveries, such as human flight, interplanetary travel or, in this case, a microscopic submarine than can navigate the bloodstream for medical reasons.
	Are complex networks and systems more stable than simpler ones? A large complex system or network that sustains multiple life forms - such as the Great Barrier Reef off Australia's north coast - would seem to be more likely to be stable to disturbances than a simple one.
	Researchers' 'DarkLight' enables visible light communication in the dark With the rise in wearables such as smartwatches and fitness trackers that rely on smart sensors, and the continued popularity of smartphones, smart devices are taking our country by storm. Wireless data for such devices is typically beamed through Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, yet, the new wireless communication technology of "visible light communication (VLC)," has emerged as a new option albeit with limitations due to the challenges it faces in practice, such as being easily blocked or not being able to sustain transmission when light is off. Through a new Dartmouth project called "DarkLight," researchers have developed and demonstrated for the first-time, how visible light can be used to transmit data even when the light appears dark or off. DarkLight provides a new communication primitive similar to infrared communication, however, it exploits the LED lights already around us rather than needing additional infrared emitters.
	Turning to the brain to reboot computing Computation is stuck in a rut. The integrated circuits that powered the past 50 years of technological revolution are reaching their physical limits.
	A year of Alphabet: Great for Google, less so for moonshots Reorganizing itself under the umbrella company Alphabet has done wonders for Google—but less so for a grab bag of eclectic projects ranging from robotic cars to internet-beaming balloons, which are suffering costly growing pains.
California opens pathway for cars that lack steering wheel California regulators have changed course and opened a pathway for the public to get self-driving cars of the future that lack a steering wheel or pedals.
	Official: No 'manipulation' of data seen in election hacks Hackers have made their way into state election systems "in a few cases," but the federal government hasn't found "any manipulation" so far of voting information, the Homeland Security secretary said Saturday.
	Advertising on mobile: it's all about 'stopping the thumb' Almost 80 years old, the deodorant Old Spice is learning new tricks for finding customers in the era of smartphones and social media.
	Who inherits a selfie? States seek to fill privacy law gaps When a loved one dies, laws cover how their houses, cars, and other property are passed on to relatives. But the rules are murkier—and currently far more restrictive—when it comes to pictures on Facebook, emails to friends or relatives and even financial records stored in online cloud accounts.
Virtual reality helps net last Auschwitz criminals Slipping on a virtual reality headset, the indelible images come into view: the steel rails, the imposing brick gatehouse, the rows of identical barracks, the gas chambers, the crematoria.
Netflix engineers rescue Luke Cage after service falters Superhero Luke Cage can thank Netflix's engineers for coming to his rescue.
Facebook launches 'lite' version of Messenger overseas Facebook is launching a "lite" version of it Messenger chat app. It is aimed at emerging markets, where many people use older phones that don't have enough room to store or ability to run the full-featured application due to slower internet speeds or other issues.
	Here's how drones will change cities Amazon has been busy testing out its new Prime Air initiative at a secret location in the English countryside. The service's promise of a 30-minute delivery by specially designed drones may look like click-bait PR, but it's an early sign of the significant changes coming to cities around the world.
	The future of brain and machine is intertwined, and it's already here Imagine a condition that leaves you fully conscious, but unable to move or communicate, as some victims of severe strokes or other neurological damage experience. This is locked-in syndrome, when the outward connections from the brain to the rest of the world are severed. Technology is beginning to promise ways of remaking these connections, but is it our ingenuity or the brain's that is making it happen?
Experimental kit brings research into the classroom Toralf Scharf, a microengineering instructor, developed portable labs that allow large numbers of students to discover the various facets of optics for themselves. Thanks to this novel teaching approach, Scharf has just received the Credit Suisse Award for Best Teaching, which goes to the best EPFL teacher in 2016.
Facebook expands reach with buy-and-sell 'Marketplace' (Update) Facebook launched Monday a "Marketplace" trading platform that lets users of the vast social network buy and sell goods with each other in a mighty challenge to the likes of eBay and Craigslist.
	Tiny house villages may have big health benefits and challenges Big health benefits may be hidden in tiny houses, according to two Kansas State University researchers.
Vehicle mileage tax is best option for long-term highway funding A study that forecasts state and federal fuel tax revenues based on different fuel taxation policies found adoption of a vehicle mileage tax would best meet highway construction needs in the long run.
Gone phishin': CyLab exposes how our ability to spot phishing emails is far from perfect Each year, tens of millions of phishing emails make it to your inbox, uncaught by your email client's spam filter. Of those, millions more slide past our own judgment and are clicked and opened. A recent study out of Carnegie Mellon's CyLab Security and Privacy Institute has revealed just how likely we are to take the bait.
Color-changing smart material sensor to alert user to get out of sun According to the American Cancer Society approximately 5.4 million basal and squamous cell skin cancers are diagnosed each year. Yet, the sun does contribute to the production of Vitamin D, which is necessary for bone health, and perhaps even useful in preventing some cancers. So how does one know how much sun exposure is enough?
New York police to buy 1,000 body cameras The New York Police Department, the largest city police force in the United States, has agreed to buy 1,000 body cameras, officials confirmed Friday.
Functional inks bring additional information and entertainment to products Traceable consumer products and entertaining solutions are about to become part of our everyday lives, particularly in food packaging or, say, textiles and household appliances.
US wants to build Idaho facility for warships' nuclear waste The Navy and U.S. Department of Energy want to build a $1.6 billion facility at a nuclear site in eastern Idaho that would handle fuel waste from the nation's fleet of nuclear-powered warships through at least 2060.

Medicine & Health news

	Japan's Ohsumi wins Nobel for studies of cell 'self-eating' (Update 2) Japanese biologist Yoshinori Ohsumi won the Nobel Prize in medicine on Monday for discoveries on how cells break down and recycle content, a garbage disposal system that scientists hope to harness in the fight against cancer, Alzheimer's and other diseases.
	Narcissists may start out popular, but people see through them in the long run To build a following, narcissism works. Briefly.
	Research hints at underlying cause for Alzheimer's drug trial failures Because Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia, many people use the two terms interchangeably. But inadequate blood flow to the brain due to microinfarcts, mini-strokes, or strokes is a hallmark of a disease called Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Dementia (VCID). VCID is the second most common cause of dementia, and the two are not mutually exclusive – researchers estimate that 40-60% of Alzheimer's disease patients also have VCID.
	Alternative splicing of RNA shows potential as drug target for obesity, cancer University of Kentucky College of Medicine Professor Stefan Stamm has identified a previously-unknown function of small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs): regulating a fundamental cellular process called alternative splicing. His findings point to new ways to treat obesity and cancer.
	Researchers in Britain think they might have developed a cure for HIV (Medical Xpress)—British newspaper The Sunday Times is reporting that a team of researchers in the U.K. believe they may have cured a man that was HIV positive. If the claims turn out to be true, it would mark the first time a person has been cured of the infection without having to resort to a bone marrow transplant. The patient's name has been withheld to protect his privacy, but it was reported that he was first in line among 50 infected people to undergo a new treatment process that has been what the team described as one of the first real attempts at a full cure for the disease.
	World-wide study reveals new genes for heart function The way the heart muscle functions appears to be much more complex than previously assumed. This is the conclusion of a world-wide study in which data from 73,518 individuals from all across the world were used to search for new heart genes.
	Scientists connect dopamine, facial recognition in study In a recent study, researchers at Center for BrainHealth, working in collaboration with colleagues in Sweden, have revealed a link between the dopamine neurotransmitter system in the brain and an individual's ability to recognize faces.
	Danish study links contraceptive use to risk of depression Aside from pesky side effects like nausea and headaches, hormonal contraceptives are generally considered quite safe and effective. But researchers Wednesday identified a heightened risk of an unintended consequence: depression.
	Breakthrough in mapping nicotine addiction could help researchers improve treatment A scientific blueprint to end tobacco cravings may be on the way after researchers crystallized a protein that holds answers to how nicotine addiction occurs in the brain.
	Toys and 'enriched' surroundings help fight infection in mice Mice that are given toys and placed in stimulating surroundings have healthier immune systems, according to a study by Queen Mary University of London (QMUL).
	Small brain region plays a major role in the control of appetite; possible link to nicotine A small group of brain cells moderates whether an individual is hungry or full. In mouse studies, when these cells are impaired, the animal eats constantly and becomes obese. On the other hand, when the cells enhance their activity, the mice eat little and lose weight. The study, published today in Nature by researchers from Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital and the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, opens the possibility of developing drugs to help treat obesity, a major health problem around the world, as well as other eating disorders.
	Two new studies uncover key players responsible for learning and memory formation One of the most fascinating properties of the mammalian brain is its capacity to change throughout life. Experiences, whether studying for a test or experiencing a traumatic situation, alter our brains by modifying the activity and organization of specific neural circuitry, thereby modifying subsequent feelings, thoughts, and behavior. These changes take place in and among synapses, communication junctions between neurons. This experience-driven alteration of brain structure and function is called synaptic plasticity and it is considered the cellular basis for learning and memory.
	How the brain makes new memories while preserving the old Columbia scientists have developed a new mathematical model that helps to explain how the human brain's biological complexity allows it to lay down new memories without wiping out old ones—illustrating how the brain maintains the fidelity of memories for years, decades or even a lifetime. This model could help neuroscientists design more targeted studies of memory, and also spur advances in neuromorphic hardware—powerful computing systems inspired by the human brain.
How human genes affect the microbiome Our genes determine to some extent which bacteria live in our intestines. Studies on human twins and experimental work with animals have both confirmed that our microbiome is partly hereditary. But so far, there was only limited information about the host genes that affect the microbiome. Now a new study, led by the University Medical Center Groningen/University of Groningen Department of Genetics has associated genetic loci and specific genes in human DNA to bacterial species and their metabolic signatures. The results have been published in the journal Nature Genetics on October 3rd.
	Hunger may be more motivating than thirst, anxiety, or fear Hunger is a strong motivational force, with the capacity to curb rival drives states such as thirst, anxiety, fear of predators, and social needs, according to a study in mice published September 29 in Neuron. The researchers also found that activation of neurons known to regulate appetite mimics the state of hunger in mice, suppressing competing motivational systems in the presence of food. The findings shed light on how the brain integrates rival drive states to guide motivated behavior in natural environments.
	Bone marrow inflammation predicts leukemia risk Cancer is generally thought to arise from genetic damage within individual cells, but recent evidence has suggested that abnormal signaling in the surrounding tissue also plays an important role. In a study published September 22 in Cell Stem Cell, researchers show that inflammatory signaling in the bone marrow tumor environment is a key driver of malignancy and predicts the development of leukemia in mice and humans.
	Computer simulations explore how Alzheimer's disease starts A new Rice University study uses computer simulations to explore the initial steps of the molecular process that leads to Alzheimer's disease.
A tour de (tiny) force: Researchers apply inconceivably small force to mysterious receptor From the blood coursing through our veins to the fly landing on our arm, we sense forces both inside and outside of our bodies through certain receptors on our cells. A new Duke University study takes researchers a step further to understanding a crucial receptor whose dysfunction has been linked to rare blood disorders.
From Pokemon Go to birdwatching: Scientist studies how we express our inner hunter Interested in birding or wildlife photography? Enjoy playing Pokemon Go and catching imaginary creatures? If so, you may simply be expressing your inner hunter.
List of recent winners of the Nobel medicine Nobel judges at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm will announce the Nobel Prize in medicine on Monday on the heels of a scandal over a disgraced stem cell scientist that has rocked the prestigious institution.
	Nobel medicine prize opens 2016 awards season The 2016 Nobel prize season kicks off Monday with the announcement of the medicine prize by a scandal-tainted jury, to be followed over the next 10 days by the other science awards and those for peace and literature.
	Crowdsourcing effort takes aim at deadliest breast cancers Forget the pink ribbons. Spitting in a tube for science is what unites a growing group of breast cancer patients taking part in a unique project to advance treatment for the deadliest form of the disease.
	Critical to monitor babies' health after Zika, but how long? More federal money finally is available to fight Zika even as the news worsens. Babies who at first seem to have escaped the virus' devastating hallmark defect—an abnormally small head at birth—might not be out of the woods after all.
Growers: Bromeliads aren't to blame for Zika in Miami Beach Just over a month ago, Miami Beach Botanical Garden was home to over 2,000 colorful, water-trapping bromeliads, some featuring red flowers that burst like fireworks from dark green spirals. Identified as breeding grounds for mosquitoes that carry Zika, they've all been pulled out, leaving shallow depressions in flower beds and exposing irrigation lines.
Cancer mortality differs among Asian ethnic groups The growing Asian American population in the United States presents a diverse set of health behaviors and health outcomes, and may benefit from cancer prevention and screening efforts tailored to specific Asian ethnic groups, according to a study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.
Zika Virus in the Southeast As of the end of July 2016, there have been 1,658 cases of Zika virus infections diagnosed in the United States. It is believed that most of these infections were contracted outside the United States. While the Zika virus is transmitted primarily through the bite of an infected mosquito, it can also be transmitted through sexual contact with a person who is infected with the Zika virus.
	Is changing one's race a sign of mental health problems? Rachel Dolezal was born to white parents and raised as a white child, but privately "transitioned" to a self-identified black woman after attending (and suing) the historically black Howard University. She first made headlines last year when she was outed as white by a local Spokane news reporter. She was in the news again in September for hosting a black hair expo in Dallas.
How much gluten is in foods labelled 'gluten free'? A study by The University of Western Australia of foods labelled 'gluten-free' published this week in the Medical Journal of Australia has found that some produced overseas do not comply with the Australian standard that requires GF-labelled foods to contain 'no detectable gluten'.
	Smoking and body weight—what's the connection? As our readers may recall, my wife and I spent a couple of weeks in Spain in late August. I previously documented the mileage we accrued while exploring various cities in that beautiful country. Two things I always notice when in Europe are the following: many Europeans smoke, but few are overweight or obese. Although I was aware of this association for years, I wanted to see what the literature had to say about the connection between smoking and weight.
Healthcare for migrants is a challenge Understanding health trends among people who migrate is difficult. In most cases migrants fall outside health systems planning and may struggle to access health care facilities.
The trauma caused by violent protests can be acute, but is largely ignored Public protests are a regular feature in many countries. People routinely take to their cities' streets to make demands. Some protests turn violent. Physical injuries are common. But what about the less obvious, unintended emotional consequences? Professor of psychiatry Christopher P Szabo explains the trauma that protesters – and even onlookers – can experience.
	Effect of commitment on forgiveness investigated in large-scale replication project After a betrayal of trust, what motivates an aggrieved partner to try and resolve the problem instead of walking away or seeking revenge? Many studies have indicated that how people respond to a partner's betrayal is associated with how committed they feel to their relationship, raising the possibility that boosting people's feelings of commitment may lead them to choose less destructive responses.
More than half of persons with Alzheimer's disease aged 90 years or more use psychotropic drugs Psychotropic drug use is rather common among persons aged 90 years or more diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, compared with those who were diagnosed at younger age, concludes a study conducted at the University of Eastern Finland. Persons aged 90 years or more used antipsychotics five times more often and antidepressants 2.5 times more often than those without the disease in the same age group. The results were published in Age and Ageing.
	Respiratory tract bacterium uncovered as trigger for serious nervous system disease Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute life-threatening disease of the nervous system that leads to sensory disturbances and acute flaccid paralysis. A group of researchers involving the University of Zurich has now shown for the first time that bacteria, which often cause pneumonia, can trigger the autoimmune disease GBS. Antibodies that not only attack the bacteria but also the outer layer of the body's own nerve cells are a critical step in the pathogenesis of GBS after this respiratory infection.
	Scientists identify protein involved in restoring effectiveness of common treatment for breast cancer Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women, with estrogen-receptor-positive (ER+) being the most common type. Drugs used to treat this cancer, such as tamoxifen and Faslodex, block the hormone estrogen receptor that ER+ cancer cells need to grow. One problem with these treatments is that many tumors initially responsive to the drugs develop resistance, making the medicines less effective.
	MicroRNA specifically kills cancer cells with common mutation Approximately 20 percent of all human cancers have mutations in a gene called KRAS. KRAS-mutant cancers are among the most difficult to treat, with poor survival and resistance to chemotherapy. Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine and Moores Cancer Center used microRNAs—small pieces of genetic material—to systematically inhibit thousands of other genes to find combinations that are specifically lethal to cancer cells driven by a KRAS mutation.
Social media and activity feedback give no more benefit than simpler strategies Providing physically inactive adults access to online social networking about walking as well as personalized feedback did not add more benefit than just providing emailed tips, according to Penn State College of Medicine researchers. The results suggest that despite enthusiasm for the potential of online networking sites to change behavior, using these sites and added feedback may not further increase adults' physical activity beyond simpler strategies such as informational tips.
Cardiovascular patients with HIV require unique treatment options Cardiovascular disease has become the leading cause of death for those living with HIV, as the infection has moved from a terminal disease to a chronic illness.
	Certain parents more likely to skip kids' flu shot (HealthDay)—Children who see "alternative" health providers, such as acupuncturists or massage therapists, are less likely than other kids to get their annual flu shot, a new study suggests.
	US smoking rates differ by county, not just state (HealthDay)—Parts of the Midwest and South have the highest smoking rates in the United States, a new study finds.
	Risk of frailty associated with changes in oral function (HealthDay)—Aging is tied to changes in oral function, according to a study published online Sept. 22 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
	Platelet-rich plasma SIJ injection cuts low back pain (HealthDay)—For patients with chronic low back pain, ultrasound-guided sacroiliac joint (SIJ) injection with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is effective for reducing pain, according to a study published online Sept. 27 in Pain Practice.
Teen birth rate in the US hits record low for 7th consecutive year The birthrate among U.S. teenagers hit an all-time low in 2015, the seventh straight year a new record has been set.
	Could caffeine help prevent dementia? A new study suggests a significant relationship between caffeine and dementia prevention, though it stops short of establishing cause and effect.
Seattle father saved by new app that alerts volunteers to rush in and give CPR Doug Stine's ribs were still pretty sore Friday, but that didn't stop him from getting out of his hospital bed at Harborview Medical Center and hugging the stranger whose smartphone app saved his life.
	Role identified for key protein in regeneration of damaged newt retinas At the back of the retina in adult vertebrate eyes is a highly differentiated layer of cells known as the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). These cells do not normally multiply or migrate in adults, but in humans they do so in response to retinal trauma. They then pass through a transitional state of multipotency, with the potential to become more than one cell type, eventually transforming into cells that heal the wound, but with a resulting loss of vision. This causes a retinal disorder such as proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR).
Out of the limelight: Nobel medicine prize winner Ohsumi Some people are drawn to the flashy and popular, but Nobel laureate Yoshinori Ohsumi isn't one of them.
Does having mixed ancestry help protect you from motor neurone disease? Could the key to unlocking the secret of motor neurone disease lie in the collaboration between two small island nations, Ireland and Cuba? Researchers from Trinity College Dublin are heading to Latin America to begin a major new research project which will examine whether the likelihood of developing motor neurone disease (MND/ALS) is reduced in people with mixed ancestral backgrounds.
	Keeping your synapses sharp: How spermidine reverses age-related memory decline Synapses, connecting the neurons in our brains, continuously encode new memories, but the ability to form new memories ("learning") diminishes drastically for many of us as we get older.
Mosquito-borne Rift Valley fever virus causes miscarriage The mosquito-borne Rift Valley fever virus has been linked to miscarriage in humans. A study of 130 pregnant Sudanese women with fever showed that the risk of miscarriage was seven times greater if the woman was infected with Rift Valley fever virus. The study, which was recently published in the journal Lancet Global Health, was a collaboration between researchers at Umeå University, the Swedish Defense Research Agency (FOI) and clinicians in Sudan.
	Research provides new information on cancer and sugar-sweetened beverages link A study conducted by researchers at LSU Health New Orleans suggests that age is an important factor in the association between cancer and sugar-sweetened beverages and recommends that intervention programs to reduce consumption of added sugar be focused on lower socio-economic status, young males, as well as cervical cancer survivors. The study is published in the October 2016 issue of Translational Cancer Research.
	Review finds little evidence that brain-training games yield real-world benefits A systematic review of the scientific studies cited by brain-training companies as evidence that their products improve cognition in daily life finds no convincing evidence to support those claims. While people tend to improve on the specific tasks they practice, the researchers report, the conclusion that computerized brain-training programs yield broader cognitive benefits or improve real-world outcomes for their users is premature at best.
'Green exercise' in England benefits health to the tune of GBP2.2 billion a year Physical activity in natural environments, or 'green exercise', is estimated to provide health benefits of £2.2 billion a year to the English adult population, according to new research published in the journal Preventive Medicine.
Umbilical cord antiseptic not effective in reducing infant deaths in Africa Despite significant reductions in neonatal mortality previously reported in south Asia, applying a chlorhexidine wash to newborns' umbilical cords in sub-Saharan Africa did not reduce deaths, a study led by researchers from the Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) shows.
	Researchers identify receptor to slow breast cancer metastasis In a research study published in the journal Oncogene, scientists from Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine showed that by therapeutically targeting the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) in breast cancer cells, they decreased tumor growth, reduced tumor angiogenesis and recruitment of inflammatory cells, and dramatically decreased metastasis to the lung and the liver.
Avoiding hospitalization for certain low-risk acute medical conditions appears safe A comprehensive review of studies evaluating strategies for treating certain acute medical conditions without hospital admission finds that all four evaluated strategies appear to be safe, often improve patient and caregiver satisfaction, and reduce health care costs. The report is being published online in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Pediatric workforce must address opioid crisis In late August, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) called on providers who care for youth to offer the same treatments routinely offered to adults - including medications like buprenorphine (commonly known by its brand name, Suboxone) - to adolescents.
	Prescription sleep aids carry a rare suicide risk, review finds Prescription sleep aids appear to carry a rare risk of suicide, most typically when they cause the unexpected response of stimulating rather than quietening patients, researchers say.
The mechanisms of diabetes induced bone fragility Recent research has shown that bone health is compromised in people with diabetes, resulting in a significantly higher risk of fragility fracture.
Study finds that CPAP therapy reduces acid reflux in people with sleep apnea A new study suggests that CPAP therapy may help improve the symptoms of nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.
New treatment for depressed smokers trying to quit Researchers pinpoint why depressed smokers have a harder time resisting relapses.
HDAC inhibitors show promise against cancer stem cells A group of researchers, led by scientists at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, has shown that histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors have the potential to eliminate stubborn reservoirs of breast and ovarian cancer stem cells (CSCs). These stem cells help tumors resist standard treatments and play a significant role in metastasis and relapse. The study, published in the journal Oncogene, also highlights a genetically engineered cell line that makes it easier to study CSCs and could help researchers make further breakthroughs.
Bullying likely to result in aggressive responses by children with disabilities Children with disabilities—particularly those with learning disabilities, emotional disabilities and autism spectrum disorders—often are victims of bullying. However, very little research exists about how children with disabilities respond when they are bullied.
Cold and bubbly: The sensory qualities that best quench thirst New research from the Monell Center and collaborators finds that oral perceptions of coldness and carbonation help to reduce thirst, the uncomfortable sensation caused by the need to drink fluids. Because thirst and its cessation contribute to how much fluid a person drinks, the current findings could help guide sensory approaches to increase fluid intake in populations at risk for dehydration, including the elderly, soldiers, and athletes.
Study finds exercise treadmills significant cause of hand burns in children In recent years, home exercise equipment has become increasingly common, and treadmills have continued to be the largest selling exercise category by a large margin. However, this trend has also led to an unfortunate increase in treadmill-related hand burns for children, with estimates indicating that more than 12,000 children are treated in emergency departments for home exercise equipment-related injuries in the United States each year.
	Where you live shapes your immune system more than your genes Like fingerprints, immune systems vary from person to person. And although we all inherit a unique set of genes that help us respond to infections, recent studies have found that our history and environment—like where and with whom we live—are responsible for 60% to 80% of the differences between individual immune systems, while genetics account for the rest. In a Review published September 29 in Trends in Immunology, three immunologists discuss the emerging science of what shapes our immune systems and how it might be applied.
Parents' age and the risk for autism and schizophrenia: Is the connection real? A new study published in Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health indicates that parents who reproduce later in life are more likely to have children who develop autism disorders. Later reproduction was not, however, associated with increased risk for schizophrenia in offspring.
Study on minimally invasive laser and 'mini' craniotomy for 'inoperable' brain tumors A new paper in the October issue of the journal Neurosurgical Focus finds the use of laser beneficial for the removal of large, "inoperable" glioblastoma (GBM) and other types of brain tumors. The paper is authored by Andrew Sloan, MD, and colleagues from University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and Case Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Preliminary Zika vaccines prevent neurological disorders in newborn mice Two vaccines against Zika virus developed at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have successfully conveyed immunity from female mice to pups conceived weeks after the mother's vaccination.
Assessing the intangible: A method for measuring respect and dignity in the ICU Treating patients and their family members with respect and dignity is essential to excellent medical care; yet, unlike other elements of high-quality care, respect and dignity are difficult to define, let alone measure. In an effort to promote patients being treated with respect and dignity, bioethics scholars at Johns Hopkins created a 10-point checklist to assess key components of respect and dignity in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting.
How safe and effective are new drugs for stroke prevention? For decades, warfarin was the only oral blood thinner available to reduce the risk of stroke for patients with atrial fibrillation. Warfarin use is cumbersome, because it requires ongoing blood test to monitor the effect and has numerous drug and food interaction. Now a number of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC) drugs are available for patients with atrial fibrillation and claim to revolutionize the care for patients with atrial fibrillation.
Researchers take step toward understanding how multiple myeloma takes hold Israeli scientists are moving closer to understanding how multiple myeloma takes hold in bone marrow by identifying what they believe are the mechanisms used by cancer cells to take over. In particular, they have found that the cancer cells communicate with healthy cells, changing the way proteins are made to make the bone marrow environment more favorable to cancer cells. They do this by manipulating an early phase in the process (protein translation initiation). The report appears in the October 2016 issue of the Journal of Leukocyte Biology.
Study identifies risk factors for physical decline among survivors of ARDS A new study by a team of Johns Hopkins researchers found that most survivors of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) decline physically in the five years after hospital discharge, and those at higher levels of risk of decline are older and had greater medical problems prior to hospitalization for ARDS.
	Vast majority of impoverished fathers involved with their children Many policymakers and elected officials, including President Barack Obama, have publicly criticized impoverished and African-American fathers for not being involved in the lives of their children. But a new study published in the journal Families in Society suggests the criticism is largely unfounded and that even in cases of incarceration, most low-income fathers are connected to their children.
Do it well and do it right: Business success requires top-notch service and ethics Recent headline-grabbing scandals at Volkswagen and Bank of America, among a host of car makers, big banks and other businesses, have underscored the impact poor corporate ethics can have on top, globally established companies. New research from the University of Notre Dame shows that businesses must place equal importance on ethical adherence and quality service in order to be successful.
Thinking globally linked to optimism As the world becomes increasingly global, people often respond one of two ways: They start to consider themselves part of the larger global community, or they strengthen their association with their smaller national or local community.
Survey: Doctors' political views may affect patient care Politics in the exam room? A new study suggests patient care may vary depending on whether the doctor is a Democrat or a Republican—at least when it comes to some hot-button health issues like firearm safety.
Cells' garbage disposal may hold key to healthier life Autophagy, the little-understood method by which human cells dispose of harmful waste and unwelcome intruders, may one day be central to therapies for longer, healthier living, experts said.
Research on normative brain development in children could help doctors test for depression A focus on brain development, particularly in early childhood, may eventually be the key to detecting psychiatric risk before the symptoms have the chance to progress. Research at Binghamton University, State University of New York suggests that significant changes in the structure of brain activity occur during the early school years, and that such changes can potentially benchmark normative brain development in children.
Healthy rewards points can promote healthy foods in restaurants From fast food chains to coffee shops, marketers use various promotional strategies to nudge selection of featured foods. Price discounts, rewards cards, and coupons are some common methods. A new Cornell University School of Hotel Administration and Food and Brand Lab study finds that the best way to get customers to make healthy choices is to offer rewards points that can be redeemed when making future healthy purchases.
A simple antidote for shame Have you ever felt embarrassed or guilty? A new study suggests that drinking a cup of cold water or iced tea could reduce these types of uncomfortable emotions.
	Yoga may be viable option for people with generalized anxiety disorder Yoga could help reduce symptoms for people with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, according to a study published by Georgia State University researchers in the International Journal of Yoga Therapy.
New program takes diabetes care for seniors out of the clinic and into the community It's a public health problem of global proportions. More than 370 million people worldwide are living with diabetes– the vast majority with Type 2 diabetes– and of those, most are seniors.
Another perspective on New Zealand's midwifery care It is important for the public and health workforce to reflect carefully on the results of a study on midwifery care released this week, according to a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology from the University of Auckland.
Diabetes study to look at teen sleep and exposure to media Overexposure to media—television, Facebook, smartphones—may be disrupting teen sleep patterns. And according to researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham who are launching a study into teen sleep and media exposure, disruption of sleep might lead to more than just tired, grumpy teens.
Infectious diseases: hand-foot-and-mouth disease An outbreak of hand-foot-and-mouth disease has been reported in various parts of the United States.
Brain diseases manifest in the retina of the eye Diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) may manifest as pathological changes in the retina of the eye. Research from the University of Eastern Finland (UEF) shows that retinal changes may be detected earlier than brain changes. Findings from mouse models suggest that eye examination could be used as a noninvasive screening tool for human brain diseases.
Certain alternative therapies may help patients with bowel disorders A new review looks at the evidence behind the effectiveness of complementary or alternative therapies—including probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, fiber, and herbal medicinal products—for the treatment of bowel disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional constipation, and ulcerative colitis.
	Scientists take aging cardiac stem cells out of semiretirement to improve stem cell therapy With age, the chromosomes of our cardiac stem cells compress as they move into a state of safe, semiretirement.
Clinical trial tests spinal manipulation therapy for migraines Manual-therapy randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are difficult to perform because it's challenging to conceal a placebo when patients are able to physically feel a treatment that's being delivered. Now, though, researchers have successfully completed the first manual-therapy RCT with a documented successful blinding. The three-armed trial evaluated the efficacy of chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy (CSMT) in the treatment of migraine versus placebo (sham chiropractic) and control (usual drug treatment).
Physical activity may help preserve lung function in individuals with asthma In a study of adults with asthma, active individuals had slightly less lung function decline than inactive individuals.
Serious liver-related condition on the rise in the US A new analysis reveals that cirrhosis and acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF, a deterioration of liver function in patients with cirrhosis that results in the failure of one or more organs) represent a substantial and increasing health and economic burden in the United States.
Many liver transplant candidates have deficits in physical activity that are missed by clinicians A new study found that patients waiting for a liver transplant tend to be highly sedentary. Also, patients' self-assessments of their physical activity, and even their doctors' assessments, do not reliably indicate patients' actual physical performance.
Report: Few studies look at well-being of LGB youth of color While research on lesbian, gay and bisexual youth has increased in recent years, these studies often fail to look at the experiences of young people of color, according to a new report in the Journal of Gay & Lesbian Mental Health.
Polish women hold nation-wide strike against abortion ban Tens of thousands of black-clad women protested across Poland Monday against a proposed near-total abortion ban in the devoutly Catholic country, where the law is already among the most restrictive in Europe.
High up-front costs could delay access to life-saving blood cancer drugs for Medicare patients Significant out-of-pocket costs that cancer patients can face before Medicare insurance drug benefits kick in may delay the patients' treatment with a novel class of targeted therapies, according to a University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center-led study.

Biology news

	Environmental change drove diversity in Lake Malawi cichlids Africa's Lake Malawi is home to hundreds of species of cichlids, the freshwater fish whose broad array of colors make them popular denizens of household aquariums. A new study shows how dramatic environmental changes during the lake's history likely drove that dazzling evolutionary diversity.
	Microscope developed at MBL tracks individual molecules in living cells Scientists at the Marine Biological Laboratory and colleagues have unveiled a new microscope that can track the position and orientation of individual molecules in living cells—nanoscale measurements that until now have posed a significant challenge.
	Research breakthrough could help diagnose, treat biofilm infections Biofilms—colonies of microorganisms living inside a protective coating—are everywhere, from the plaque we scrub off our teeth each day to the slimy green masses that form on rocks in streams. They are on the inside and outside of our bodies, in our oceans, and on natural and manmade surfaces, including medical implants such as artificial heart valves and catheters.
	Scientists propose a new strategy to accelerate plant breeding by turbocharging gene banks A new study led by an Iowa State University agronomist may help scientists sift through vast amounts of plant seeds stored in gene bank facilities across the globe to identify those useful to plant breeders attempting to produce better varieties.
	Research reveals bonobos skillfully cracking nuts with stone hammers like chimpanzees A first of its kind study from the University of Kent found that wild-born, rehabilitated bonobos (Pan paniscus) can be efficient nut-crackers with a skill level not that different from wild chimpanzees.
	Mix and match microbes to make probiotics last Scientists have tried to alter the human gut microbiota to improve health by introducing beneficial probiotic bacteria. Yet commercially available probiotics do not establish themselves in the gut. A study published September 29 in Cell Host & Microbe suggests that it is possible to alter the microbial ecosystem in the human gut for at least 6 months by introducing a single, ecologically appropriate bacterial strain.
Bacteria could detect leaks at carbon capture sites Bacteria and archaea could be used to monitor stored carbon dioxide (CO2) and convert it into useful products, such as ethanol and acetate, say researchers at the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) and the University of Oslo. In an Opinion published October 3, in Trends in Biotechnology, they discuss how new bioinformatics tools would enable researchers to read shifts in microbial community genetics—making it possible to, for example, detect potential CO2 leaks—and how such analyses could contribute to making large-scale capture and storage of CO2 feasible.
	Early development reveals axolotl mysteries In the amphibian world, the axolotl is the replacement-parts king.
	Study reveals rats have greater episodic memory than previously thought Anyone who has ever spotted a familiar face at a party but been unable to place where or when they last met that person knows the difference between episodic memory and familiarity.
Dog poop microbiome predicts canine inflammatory bowel disease Our gut microbiomes—the varieties of microbes living in our digestive tracts—may play a role in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Since dogs can also suffer from IBD, researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine analyzed fecal samples from dogs with and without the disease. They discovered a pattern of microbes indicative of IBD in dogs. With more than 90 percent accuracy, the team was able to use that information to predict which dogs had IBD and which did not. However, they also determined that the gut microbiomes of dogs and humans are not similar enough to use dogs as animal models for humans with this disease.
	Obesity genes probably didn't evolve to help us survive famine Genes that helped our ancestors store fat in times of famine may have been useful, but whether they cursed future generations with a predisposition toward obesity is a little more controversial. This popular "thrifty gene hypothesis" has had its critics, but with a study published September 22 in Cell Metabolism, there is now evidence that nearly all the common obesity-related genes show no properties of traits that evolved because they provide an adaptive advantage.
Scientists: Endangered frog rebounding in Yosemite park (Update) A native California frog once on the brink of extinction is making an encouraging comeback in Yosemite National Park, raising hopes for amphibians like it worldwide that are dying off at an alarming rate, researchers said Monday.
Researchers probe secrets of bacterial immune system Scientists from New Zealand's University of Otago and the Netherlands are continuing to unlock the secrets of a surprisingly flexible bacterial immune system, called CRISPR-Cas.
	Feds list 7 Hawaii bee species as endangered, a first in US Federal authorities on Friday added seven yellow-faced bee species, Hawaii's only native bees, for protection under the Endangered Species Act, a first for any bees in the United States.
	Sharks: feared predator in need of protection Sharks may elicit less sympathy than elephants or rhinos, but experts say the feared predators are under increasing pressure from unmanaged commercial fishing and desperately in need of further protection.
	Lure of Australia's Uluru hard to resist The urge to scramble up Uluru, the great red rock rising out of Australia's desert heart, is difficult to resist for many tourists, despite the risk of upsetting the local Aboriginal people.
	Ocean warriors unveil new high-speed ship against Japan whalers With its distinctive pirate-like flag flying from the mast, the sleek, high-speed concrete grey Ocean Warrior is the latest weapon in a bitter war between marine conservationists and Japan's whaling fleet.
	Australia increases shark tagging after teen mauling The tagging and relocation of sharks off Australia's most populous state will be sharply increased to protect surfers ahead of a busy summer season, authorities said Sunday, after a teenager was mauled in a recent attack.
	Zimbabwe, Namibia to push for ivory trade Southern African countries will Monday fight for permission to sell their ivory stockpiles, as an international wildlife conference debates how best to regulate the often illegal trade and protect Africa's elephants.
	Researchers shed light on the recent history of decline in the flightless Kakapo New research from the University of Otago helps explain the recent history of one of New Zealand's most iconic parrot species and the role humans played in their decline.
Ancestor rice of Suriname Maroons traced back to its African origin Maroons, the descendants of escaped African slaves who live in the interior of Suriname today, grow their own rice. In addition to many types of Asian white rice (Oryza sativa), they also cultivate a species with black grains (Oryza glaberrima). This 'blaka aleisi' is rarely eaten but instead offered to ancestors and used in spiritual herb baths.
Portable biological factories create pharmaceuticals Pellets made from freeze-dried molecular components make it possible to "just add water" to create diverse compounds without the need for refrigeration. This portable and inexpensive platform, intended to help those far away from hospitals or even astronauts on the space station, could allow for the creation of pharmaceuticals, specialized therapies, and experimental biomolecules. The technology, developed by Harvard and MIT researchers, is presented September 22 in Cell.
US says climate change threatens national park's insects U.S. wildlife officials proposed greater protections for two rare insects in Glacier National Park on Monday, saying warmer temperatures caused by climate change are drying up the mountain streams where they live.
Scientists illuminate a method for safer stem cell treatments Because they can develop, or differentiate, into basically any tissue type, pluripotent stem cells (PSC) could be the key to a host of regeneration therapies. But those PSCs in a culture dish that remain undifferentiated could form teratomas, a kind of tumor, if transplanted into patients. This week in ACS Central Science, researchers report a new light-based technology that could remove this risk.
	Global trade in African grey parrots banned Delegates at a global wildlife conference on Sunday voted to ban international trade in African grey parrots, one of the world's most trafficked birds.
	Why military and market responses are no way to save species from extinction The arrival of climate change brings with it large-scale habitat loss and unprecedented species extinctions. The booming black and grey markets in already-threatened animals, including the rhino, elephant, and pangolin, are worsening matters.
Cost-benefit analysis of strategies against severely harmful giant hogweed in Germany While invasive species are considered to be a primary driver of biodiversity loss across the globe, species such as the alien for Germany giant hogweed pose even greater risks, including health hazards to humans, limited accessibility to sites, trails and amenity areas, as well as ecological damages.
Scattered marine cave biodiversity data to find home in new database WoRCS, Project Report Considered "biodiversity reservoirs," underwater caves are yet to be explored with only a few thoroughly researched areas in the world. Furthermore, species diversity and distributional data is currently scattered enough to seriously hinder conservation status assessments, which is of urgent need due to planned and uncontrolled coastal urbanization.
	Manatee in Caribbean repopulation scheme dies One of two manatees released into the Caribbean in August under a pioneering repopulation scheme has died of a suspected kidney infection, the Guadeloupe National Park announced Monday.

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