Science X Newsletter Tuesday, Jan 3

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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for January 3, 2017:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Astronomers detect a strong outburst of an embedded young stellar object

Best of Last Week—Measuring dark matter loss, a giant manned robot and the emotional hangover

Genes affecting our communication skills relate to genes for psychiatric disorder

Sex hormone-sensitive gene complex linked to premenstrual mood disorder

A closer look at the eye: Researchers develop new retinal imaging technique

Detecting misinformation can improve memory later on

How to 3-D print your own sonic tractor beam

New technique predicts frequency of heavy precipitation with global warming

Eavesdropping reveals hidden marine mammal populations in the ocean

Scientists turn memory chips into processors to speed up computing tasks

Lizard learning ability not affected by home environment

Image: Interstellar filaments in Polaris

First experimental proof of a 70 year old physics theory

New study estimates frequency of volcanic eruptions

SpaceX ready to launch again after explosion

Astronomy & Space news

	Astronomers detect a strong outburst of an embedded young stellar object (Phys.org)—Astronomers from the Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory in Armenia have discovered a strong outburst of the embedded young stellar object (YSO) designated UKIDSS-J185318.36+012454.5. This newly detected event could provide important insights for the understanding of eruptive variability of young stars. The researchers presented their discovery in a paper published Dec. 30 on the arXiv preprint server.
	Image: Interstellar filaments in Polaris Just as the new calendar year begins, and with it a feeling of new beginnings, so this network of dust and gas shows a portion of sky where star birth is yet to take hold.
	SpaceX ready to launch again after explosion SpaceX says it has determined the cause of a launchpad explosion that destroyed a satellite in September and is ready to start launches again as early as Sunday.
	Astronauts' No. 1 New Year's resolution: Ace spacewalks Astronauts up on the International Space Station are starting the new year with a pair of spacewalks.
	3-D images reveal features of Martian polar ice caps Three-dimensional subsurface images are revealing structures within the Martian polar ice caps, including previously obscured layering, a larger volume of frozen carbon dioxide contained in the south polar cap, and bowl-shaped features that may be buried impact craters within both polar caps. This information will help scientists better understand Martian climate changes and may allow them to determine the age of the polar caps without using climate models. The 3-D data volumes were assembled from observations by the Shallow Radar (SHARAD) onboard NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) during more than 2000 orbit passes over each Martian pole.
	SpaceX finds failure cause, announces January 8 as target for flight resumption After an intensive four month investigation into why a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket exploded without warning on the launch pad last September, the company today announced the failures likely cause as well as plans of a rapid resumption of flights as soon as next Sunday, Jan. 8, from their California launch complex – carrying a lucrative commercial payload of 10 advanced mobile relay satellites to orbit for Iridium Communications.

Technology news

	A closer look at the eye: Researchers develop new retinal imaging technique Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center have developed a new imaging technique that could revolutionize how eye health and disease are assessed. The group is first to be able to make out individual cells at the back of the eye that are implicated in vision loss in diseases like glaucoma. They hope their new technique could prevent vision loss via earlier diagnosis and treatment for these diseases.
	Scientists turn memory chips into processors to speed up computing tasks A team of international scientists have found a way to make memory chips perform computing tasks, which is traditionally done by computer processors like those made by Intel and Qualcomm.
	Mathematical model shows ride sharing could dramatically reduce taxi numbers in Manhattan (Tech Xplore)—A team of researchers at MIT has used mathematically modeling to create a computer system that is able to simulate car ride sharing in Manhattan under different scenarios. In their paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the team describes their math, model and simulations and what they found when looking at the results.
	Streaming subscription boom boosts US music sales Song streaming on subscription services more than doubled in the United States last year, bringing solid growth to the music industry despite sagging album sales, data showed Monday.
	Rolling out an e-sticker revolution The healthcare industry forecasts that future wellbeing will be monitored by wearable, wirelessly networked sensors. Manufacturing such devices could become much easier using decal electronics. A KAUST-developed process prints these high-performance, silicon-based computers on soft, sticker-like surfaces that can be attached anywhere.
Lessons in trust from America's experience with electronic voting It reads like a Hollywood movie. Elite hackers, allegedly sponsored by the Russian government, infiltrate the computer systems of the Democratic National Committee. Thousands of emails are stolen and published by WikiLeaks.
Opinion: Should algorithms be regulated? Accidents involving driverless cars, calculating the probability of recidivism among criminals, and influencing elections by means of news filters—algorithms are involved everywhere. Should governments step in?
A social reboot for illegal downloaders Unauthorized downloading of digital goods, including copyright music, videos, computer games, and images has become an increasing problem for content providers and those who hold the copyright on such goods and expect remuneration for distribution. A new research study in the International Journal of Business Environment suggests that content providers must take a pragmatic view based on social consensus to persuade illicit downloaders that their behaviour is economically and ethically unacceptable behaviour among their peer group or other social group to which they belong.
	Compound eyes for industry and smartphone Fraunhofer researchers have developed a process enabling the production of a two millimeter flat camera. Similar to the eyes of insects, its lens is partitioned into 135 tiny facets. Following nature's model, the researchers have named their mini-camera concept facetVISION. At the CES technical trade fair in Las Vegas, they will be presenting it from January 5 to 8, 2017 (LVCC Hall, South Hall 1, booth 20944).
	To each driver the appropriate vehicle Bringing mobility into Germany's transition to a new energy economy is a complex undertaking. While carmakers are developing more economical com- bustion engines and alternative drive systems, research establishments and companies are working on making more efficient use of vehicles. A new data logger developed by Fraunhofer researchers simultaneously collects data from vehicles with combustion engines, electric drives, external sensors, and location data, and permits the development of new hybrid and electric vehicles.
	First real-life study to provide data on the potential of powering medical implants with solar cells The notion of using solar cells placed under the skin to continuously recharge implanted electronic medical devices is a viable one. Swiss researchers have done the math, and found that a 3.6 square centimeter solar cell is all that is needed to generate enough power during winter and summer to power a typical pacemaker. The study is the first to provide real-life data about the potential of using solar cells to power devices such as pacemakers and deep brain stimulators. According to lead author Lukas Bereuter of Bern University Hospital and the University of Bern in Switzerland, wearing power-generating solar cells under the skin will one day save patients the discomfort of having to continuously undergo procedures to change the batteries of such life-saving devices.
FDA probes dangers of exploding e-cigarette batteries The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is probing the dangers of exploding batteries in e-cigarettes, following dozens of reports of devices that have combusted, overheated or caught fire and sometimes injured users.
	Unique technology for diagnosing vestibular function disorders Researchers of Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) and Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU) have joined forces developing technology for vestibular system disorders diagnosis and research. This is the first portable diagnosis technology using virtual reality.
	Eco-driving and safe driving technology to save lives, environment and money Road safety researchers at QUT are developing innovative in-vehicle technology to improve safety and save dollars at the petrol pump, and are looking to test it out on Brisbane drivers.
	Ford cancels plan to build new Mexican plant, adds US jobs The auto industry's relationship with President-elect Donald Trump took a dramatic turn Tuesday as Ford Motor Co. decided to shift investment dollars targeted for Mexico to the U.S., while Trump threatened General Motors with a tax on some imported small cars.

Medicine & Health news

	Genes affecting our communication skills relate to genes for psychiatric disorder By screening thousands of individuals, an international team led by researchers of the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, the University of Bristol, the Broad Institute and the iPSYCH consortium has provided new insights into the relationship between genes that confer risk for autism or schizophrenia and genes that influence our ability to communicate during the course of development.
	Sex hormone-sensitive gene complex linked to premenstrual mood disorder National Institutes of Health (NIH) researchers have discovered molecular mechanisms that may underlie a woman's susceptibility to disabling irritability, sadness, and anxiety in the days leading up to her menstrual period. Such premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) affects 2 to 5 percent of women of reproductive age, whereas less severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is much more common.
	Detecting misinformation can improve memory later on Exposure to false information about an event usually makes it more difficult for people to recall the original details, but new research suggests that there may be times when misinformation actually boosts memory. Research published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, shows that people who actually notice that the misinformation is inconsistent with the original event have better memory for the event compared with people who never saw the misinformation in the first place.
	Infant's prolonged infection reveals mutation that helps bacteria tolerate antibiotics The quest to understand a prolonged infection in an infant being treated for leukemia has led to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital discovery of a mutation that allows bacteria to tolerate normally effective antibiotic therapy. The report appears today in the scientific journal mBio.
	Zinc: A surprise target in regenerating the optic nerve after injury For more than two decades, researchers have tried to regenerate the injured optic nerve using different growth factors and/or agents that overcome natural growth inhibition. But at best, these approaches get only about 1 percent of the injured nerve fibers to regenerate and reconnect to the brain; most of the cells eventually die. Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital now show that a completely new approach—chelating zinc that is released as a result of the injury—gets cells to live longer, perhaps indefinitely, with dramatic levels of axon regeneration in a mouse model.
	Enzyme could protect against type of colorectal cancer by suppressing tumors, study finds An enzyme that plays an active role in inflammation could be a natural way to suppress tumors and ulcers in the colon that are found in colitis associated cancer (CAC), a type of colorectal cancer that is driven by chronic inflammation, according to a new study.
	Powerful anti-inflammatory molecule may block vision loss in diabetic retinopathy A more powerful version of an anti-inflammatory molecule already circulating in our blood may help protect our vision in the face of diabetes.
	Researchers uncover mechanism for cancer-killing properties of pepper plant UT Southwestern Medical Center scientists have uncovered the chemical process behind anti-cancer properties of a spicy Indian pepper plant called the long pepper, whose suspected medicinal properties date back thousands of years.
	Lipid metabolism is potential 'Achilles' heel' for cancer stem cells Researchers have discovered a metabolic signature critical for the functioning of "cancer stem cells" that initiate tumor formation. The team also showed how to interfere with this metabolic mechanism in ovarian cancer, inhibiting tumor growth.
	Sugar-free and 'diet' drinks no better for healthy weight than full sugar drinks, experts say Sugar-free and "diet" drinks are often seen as the healthier option - but researchers from Imperial College London have argued that they are no more helpful for maintaining a healthy weight than their full-sugar versions.
	Scientists take step toward mapping how the brain stores memories A new study led by scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) sheds light on how the brain stores memories. The research, published recently in the journal eLife, is the first to demonstrate that the same brain region can both motivate a learned behavior and suppress that same behavior.
Zinc eaten at levels found in biofortified crops reduces 'wear and tear' on DNA A new study by researchers from the UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Research Institute (CHORI) shows that a modest 4 milligrams of extra zinc a day in the diet can have a profound, positive impact on cellular health that helps fight infections and diseases. This amount of zinc is equivalent to what biofortified crops like zinc rice and zinc wheat can add to the diet of vulnerable, nutrient deficient populations.
	Diet Res-Illusions: Tips from the pros on how to lose weight We make 'em, we break 'em. New Year's diet resolutions fall like needles on Christmas trees as January goes on. Genes can work against us. Metabolism, too. But a food behavior researcher has tested a bunch of little ways to tip the scale toward success.
Scissors pulled from Vietnam man's stomach 18 years after surgery A Vietnamese man has had scissors removed from his abdomen which were left behind during surgery 18 years ago, after reporting a stomachache that was nearly two decades in the making.
Canada faces deadly fentanyl overdose crisis Sirens scream non-stop through the urban heart of Vancouver, as responders race toward drug addicts overdosing—and dying in such numbers that the city's morgues are full.
Medicare bundled-payments model cut joint replacement costs by more than 20 percent Bundled payment models can push Medicare and health system costs down considerably without sacrificing quality of care, according to new research from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. The study, the first to combine hospital cost and Medicare claims data to identify drivers of joint replacement cost savings - evaluated costs and care quality at for hip and knee replacements performed from 2008-2015 at the five-hospital Baptist Health System (BHS) network in San Antonio, Texas. Results, published online in JAMA Internal Medicine, show that the average cost dropped 20.8 percent while the effect on quality of care was unchanged or improved.
	How we know Zika virus causes Guillain-Barre Syndrome and birth defects A structured analysis of the evidence confirms that infection with mosquito-borne Zika virus is a cause of the neurological disorder Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), in addition to microcephaly and other congenital brain abnormalities, according to a systematic review published in PLOS Medicine by Nicola Low of the University of Bern, Switzerland, and colleagues in the World Health Organization (WHO) Zika Causality Working Group.
Philippine FDA orders Sanofi to take down dengue vaccine ads The Philippine Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday that it has ordered pharmaceutical giant Sanofi Pasteur Inc. to stop airing television and radio advertisements for its dengue vaccine in violation of a ban on promoting prescription or ethical drugs in mass media.
College-student status does not automatically mean excessive drinking College matriculation is often associated with increases in the frequency and intensity of drinking. This study used a national sample to examine the association between being a college student and changes in excessive drinking from late adolescence through young adulthood and whether students' residing with their parents during the school year affected the association.
	Nanohyperthermia softens tumors to improve treatment The mechanical resistance of tumors and collateral damage of standard treatments often hinder efforts to defeat cancers. A team of researchers from CNRS, the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM), Paris Descartes University, and Paris Diderot University has successfully softened malignant tumors by heating them. This method, called nanohyperthermia, makes the tumors more vulnerable to therapeutic agents. First, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are directly injected into the tumors. Then, laser irradiation activates the nanotubes, while the surrounding healthy tissue remains intact.
	Online dating booming but how much does education matter? Online daters are most likely to contact people with the same level of education as them, but are less fussy about an intellectual match as they get older, according to QUT research.
	Why don't people get it? Seven ways that communicating risk can fail Many public conversations we have about science-related issues involve communicating risks: describing them, comparing them and trying to inspire action to avoid or mitigate them.
	Maternal depression across the first years of life impacts children's neural basis of empathy Exposure to early and chronic maternal depression markedly increases a child's susceptibility to psychopathology and social-emotional problems, including social withdrawal, poor emotion regulation, and reduced empathy to others. Since 15-18% of women in industrial societies and up to 30% in developing countries suffer from maternal depression, it is of clinical and public health concern to understand the effects of maternal depression on children's development. A study published in the January 2017 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (JAACAP) followed children of mothers with depression from birth to preadolescence and tested depression's impact on children's neural empathic response to others' distress.
Improving health should be the focus of commercial diet programs, not just losing weight If losing weight is on your list of New Year resolutions, be sure to include both diet and exercise. New research published today in Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism evaluated commercial weight loss programs by comparing those that formally include exercise with those that merely advocate for exercise to determine weight loss results and reductions in risk factors associated with heart disease and other health issues. The study found that the most effective programs for weight loss and improved health outcomes include both diet and exercise as part of the mandated program. The study looked at a randomized group of 133 sedentary, overweight women who were placed into respective treatment groups for 12 weeks.
	Why odds are against a large Zika outbreak in the US Is the United States at risk for a large-scale outbreak of Zika or other mosquito-borne disease? While climate conditions in the U.S. are increasingly favorable to mosquitos, socioeconomic factors such as access to clean water and air conditioning make large-scale outbreaks unlikely, according to new analysis of existing research—but small-scale, localized outbreaks are an ongoing concern.
	'Teen' finds minors can buy bodybuilding supplement at health food stores (HealthDay)—Many U.S. health food stores recommend the dietary supplement creatine to minors as an athletic performance enhancer, even though major medical societies discourage its use by kids under 18, a new study reports.
To mend young girl's heart, Texas doctors tried something new The first hint came in a grainy black and white ultrasound in a doctor's office in West Texas.
	AMPK—the enzyme that makes physical activity healthy Physical activity benefits diabetics and others with insulin resistance. One of the reasons is that a single bout of physical activity increases the effectiveness of insulin. Thus, physical activity helps to reduce the risk of developing diabetes, while also reducing the effects of diabetes if it does set in. Until now, no one has understood the underlying mechanism of this phenomenon.
Woman hospitalized after developing complication of a New Year 'detox' A middle-aged woman developed a potentially life-threatening complication following a New Year 'detox' that involved drinking lots of fluids and taking various herbal remedies, reveal doctors writing in the online journal BMJ Case Reports.
	Metformin still best as first type 2 diabetes treatment (HealthDay)—Newly updated guidelines reaffirm that metformin is the first-line drug for people with type 2 diabetes, and that several other medications—including newer ones—can be added if needed.
Gambling addiction triggers the same brain areas as drug and alcohol cravings Gambling addiction activates the same brain pathways as drug and alcohol cravings, suggests new research.
Discovery opens up new treatments for problem gamblers After looking at images of slot machines and roulette, problem gamblers experience increased activity in the same part of the brain that lights up when drug addicts have cravings, according to a new UBC psychology study.
Common antioxidant may guard against liver disease, says researcher A common antioxidant found in human breast milk and foods like kiwi fruit can protect against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in the offspring of obese mice, according to researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.
Not all Europeans receive the same care for Duchenne muscular dystrophy Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a progressive muscle disease affecting one in 3800-6300 live male births and leads to ambulatory loss, respiratory problems, cardiomyopathy, and early death of patients in their 20s or 30s. While incurable, multidisciplinary treatment can raise life expectancy into the fourth decade. However, in a survey across seven European countries, researchers found striking differences in access to appropriate care. There were significant inequities between different countries and different age groups, which would likely lead to different health outcomes.
Study provides new look at Cesarean rate in China Overuse of cesarean can jeopardize the health of mothers and babies. As cesarean rates have grown in many nations, cesarean overuse has become a key public health issue.
	Vaccine shows promising results for early-stage breast cancer patients Deregulation and inhibition of the immune system contributes to cancer development. Many therapeutic strategies aim to re-stimulate the immune system to recognize cancer cells and target them for destruction. Researchers from Moffitt Cancer Center report that a dendritic cell vaccine that targets the HER2 protein on breast cancer cells is safe and effectively stimulates the immune system leading to regression of early-stage breast cancer.
New research examines trends in radiology journal publications relating to patient-centered care New research reports that the number of articles within radiology journals designated as dealing with patient-centered care has increased substantially in recent years, although a very limited number of radiology journals have published multiple original research articles on the topic. The study, supported by research grants from the Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute, is published online in the Journal of the American College of Radiology (JACR).
	Ticks that carry Lyme disease found in eastern national parks Lyme disease has been spreading across the United States over the past several decades, and a new study has confirmed that ticks carrying the disease are present in eastern national parks.
	Immune responses prevent conversion into slimming cells Scientists at the University of Bonn have shown in mice that excess pounds can simply be melted away by converting unwanted white fat cells into energy-consuming brown slimming cells. Can this interesting approach also be used to combat obesity? In a recent study, the university researchers show why the inflammatory responses that often occur in overweight people block this kind of fat cell conversion. However, there may be a starting point to bypass this inhibition. The results have now been published in the scientific journal Cell Reports.
	Deeper than obesity: A majority of people is now overfat Just in time for those making New Year's resolutions, researchers take a closer look on the current data to suggest up to 76 percent of the world's population is overfat. This amounts to an astonishing 5.5 billion people.
Understanding the causes of neurological abnormalities that result from premature birth In the February issue of the American Journal of Pathology, new research from the University of Chicago shows motor abnormalities frequently associated with low birth weight babies could originate due to peripheral nerve defects.
Null results research now published by major behavioral medicine journal Some in the scientific community view null results research as a failure because, by its very definition, a null result means what you expected would happen in your study did not happen. But Translational Behavioral Medicine (TBM) Editor-in-Chief Suzanne Miller-Halegoua, PhD, disagrees with that assessment.
	Gun violence may be 'contagious,' study suggests (HealthDay)—To predict someone's risk of becoming a victim of gun violence, a new study offers a suggestion: Look at the company they keep.
	Research on US gun violence still a low priority, study finds (HealthDay)—Even though the United States has the highest death rate from firearms of any developed country, gun violence gets short shrift in government research compared to other leading causes of death, a new study reveals.
	Arm circumference may be useful predictor of CVD survival (HealthDay)—Mid upper arm circumference (AC) is an independent predictor of survival in older adults with cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to a study published in the Jan. 15 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
	Caregiver phone support ups use of community resources (HealthDay)—A telephone-delivered psychosocial intervention for dementia caregivers increases use of community resources and reduces caregiver use of hospital-based health care resources, according to a study published online Dec. 23 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
	Pelvic physical therapy effective for functional constipation (HealthDay)—For children with functional constipation (FC), pelvic physical therapy (PPT) is more effective than standard medical care (SMC) for almost all outcomes measured, according to a study published in the January issue of Gastroenterology.
	Conventional trials can't detect heterogeneity in BP Tx effects (HealthDay)—Conventional clinical trials are unable to detect clinically important heterogeneity in intensive blood pressure (BP) treatment effects, according to a modeling study published online Jan. 3 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
JAMA Internal Medicine publishes more articles on firearm violence JAMA Internal Medicine is publishing another collection of articles on firearm violence, including two original investigations, two commentaries and an editorial. JAMA also is publishing a research letter on gun violence research.
New study finds EPA and DHA omega-3s lower risk of coronary heart disease EPA and DHA omega-3s reduce the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), according to results of a new, comprehensive meta-analysis published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
The emergence of a new dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia Biological Psychiatry presents a special issue, "The Dopamine Hypothesis of Schizophrenia", dedicated to recent advances in understanding the role of dopamine signaling in schizophrenia. The issue, organized by Anissa Abi-Dargham, MD, of Stony Brook University, New York, and a deputy editor of Biological Psychiatry, compiles seven reviews that summarize current knowledge and provide new insights.
Experts update best practices for diagnosis and treatment of earwax (cerumen impaction) An updated clinical practice guideline from the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery Foundation published today in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery provides evidence-based recommendations on diagnosis and treatment of earwax (cerumen impaction) as well as important patient information on the dos and don'ts of earwax and healthy ear care.
Greek justice minister vows speedy corruption inquiry Greece's justice minister on Tuesday promised a "swift and thorough" investigation into suspected corruption by civil servants and Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis.

Biology news

	Eavesdropping reveals hidden marine mammal populations in the ocean Acoustic monitoring of the calls of marine animals, such as whales and seals, could be the key to identifying new species, finding new population groups and mapping migration routes.
	Lizard learning ability not affected by home environment In a first-of-its-kind study, researchers have found that the learning ability of a social, family-oriented lizard, the Australian tree skink, is not affected by the environment they were raised in.
	Think chicken—think intelligent, caring and complex Chickens are not as clueless or "bird-brained" as people believe them to be. They have distinct personalities and can outmaneuver one another. They know their place in the pecking order, and can reason by deduction, which is an ability that humans develop by the age of seven. Chicken intelligence is therefore unnecessarily underestimated and overshadowed by other avian groups. So says Lori Marino, senior scientist for The Someone Project, a joint venture of Farm Sanctuary and the Kimmela Center in the USA, who reviewed the latest research about the psychology, behavior and emotions of the world's most abundant domestic animal. Her review is published in Springer's journal Animal Cognition.
	Biodiversity project in Azores delivers detailed abundance data for 286 arthropod species In 1999, a long-term biodiversity project started at the Azores Islands (Portugal, Atlantic Ocean), the Biodiversity of Arthropods from the Laurisilva of the Azores (BALA) project (1999-2004). Its aim was to obtain detailed distributional and abundance data for a large fraction of arthropod fauna, living in all remaining native forests at seven of the Azores Islands.
	Will climate change leave tropical birds hung out to dry? The future of the red-capped manakin and other tropical birds in Panama looks bleak. A University of Illinois research project spanning more than three decades and simulating another five decades analyzes how changes in rainfall will affect bird populations. The results show that for 19 of the 20 species included in the study, there may be significantly fewer birds if conditions become dryer.
	Archers to the rescue in Madrid as boars trespass It's a scene straight out of mediaeval times set in modern-day Madrid: an archer dressed in camouflage gear, stationed in a tree at night, waiting for the kill.
	More efficient vaccine production Many vaccines contain viruses that are inactivated to prevent them from harming recipients. This is generally achieved by adding chemicals. Fraunhofer scientists are taking a different approach, using low-energy-electrons to irradiate the pathogens. The advantages of this new method are that it produces no toxic waste and provides a faster and less aggressive way of rendering pathogens inactive.
Hawaii residents renew push for stricter pesticide rules Hawaii residents concerned about pesticide use by major agriculture companies on the islands are planning a push to strengthen regulation over chemicals they fear harm their health.
	New research: Feral cats now cover over 99.8 percent of Australia Feral cats cover over 99.8% of Australia's land area, including almost 80% of the area of our islands.
Shell game: Understanding gene patterns behind mollusk diversity From kids walking on the beach to major museums, the amazing diversity of conch shells have captivated the eyes of collectors.
Oldest Puget Sound orca, 'Granny,' missing and presumed dead The oldest member of the small population of endangered Puget Sound orcas has been missing for months and is now likely dead, bringing the toll of dead or missing whales to seven in 2016, researchers in Washington state reported.

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