Science X Newsletter Monday, Feb 13

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for February 13, 2017:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Giant radio galaxy discovered by astronomers

Scientists make huge dataset of nearby stars available to public

Best of Last Week—A new way to see matter, brain changes when wearing police uniform and baby gender impact on mother

New mechanical metamaterials can block symmetry of motion, findings suggest

Team makes planet hunting a group effort, finds more than 100 candidates

Researchers engineer 'thubber,' a stretchable rubber that packs a thermal conductive punch

Nano-level lubricant tuning improves material for electronic devices and surface coatings

50 year-old protein volume paradox resolved

Scientists discover an unexpected influence on dividing stem cells' fate

How algorithms (secretly) run the world

AI researchers get a sense of how self-interest rules

Baby's sex plays a role in pregnant women's immunity, study finds

'Anti-aging' hormone could unlock new treatments for kidney and heart disease

Physicists improve method for designing fusion experiments

Tough early life makes wild animals live longer

Astronomy & Space news

	Giant radio galaxy discovered by astronomers (Phys.org)—An international team of astronomers reports the discovery of a new giant radio galaxy (GRG) associated with the galaxy triplet known as UGC 9555. The newly discovered galaxy turns out to be one of the largest GRGs so far detected. The findings were presented Feb. 6 in a paper published online on arXiv.org.
	Scientists make huge dataset of nearby stars available to public The search for planets beyond our solar system is about to gain some new recruits.
	Team makes planet hunting a group effort, finds more than 100 candidates An international team of astronomers released the largest-ever compilation of exoplanet-detecting observations made using a technique called the radial velocity method. They demonstrated how these observations can be used to hunt for planets by detecting more than 100 potential exoplanets, including one orbiting the fourth-closest star to our own Solar System, which is about 8.1 light years away from Earth. The paper is published in The Astronomical Journal.
	Asteroid resembles Dungeons and Dragons dice Radar images of asteroid 2017 BQ6 were obtained on Feb. 6 and 7 with NASA's 70-meter (230-foot) antenna at the Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex in California. They reveal an irregular, angular-appearing asteroid about 660 feet (200 meters) in size that rotates about once every three hours. The images have resolutions as fine as 12 feet (3.75 meters) per pixel.
	Comet's trip past Earth offers first in a trio of opportunities Comet hunters still have a chance to see comet 45P/Honda-Mrkos-Pajdušáková in the next few days using binoculars or a telescope. It's the first of a trio of comets that will—between now and the end of 2018—pass close enough to Earth for backyard observers to try to spot and for scientists to study using ground-based instruments.
	Astronomers zoom in on megastar's juvenile outburst A long time ago, in a galaxy far away, a supergiant red star ended its life in a spectacular explosion known as a supernova.
	Why it's time for Australia to launch its own space agency Any nation that hopes to have a space program needs to be able to keep an eye on its orbiting assets at all times. This means that Australia has become a key link in the global chain of ground-based tracking stations.
	NASA's TDRS-M space communications satellite begins final testing The Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) project has begun final testing on a new satellite that will replenish NASA's Space Network. The spacecraft is scheduled to launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Aug. 3, 2017, on an Atlas V rocket.
	NASA gives the Webb Telescope a shakedown Scientists and engineers had many challenges in designing the components of NASA's James Webb Space Telescope and then had to custom design and build ways to test it.

Technology news

	How algorithms (secretly) run the world When you browse online for a new pair of shoes, pick a movie to stream on Netflix or apply for a car loan, an algorithm likely has its word to say on the outcome.
	AI researchers get a sense of how self-interest rules (Tech Xplore)—Interested in serious mind games, of the artificial intelligence variety? Park these phrases in your vocabulary list, courtesy of a DeepMind exploration: "deep multi-agent reinforcement learning" and "sequential social dilemmas."
	Age is just a number but Amazon AI is after some smart estimates (Tech Xplore)—Tech sites are talking about an Amazon tool to estimate a person's age powered by the giant's Rekognition platform.
	Research aims to revolutionize robot mobility The rapidly expanding robotics program in the College of Engineering at Oregon State University has spun off one of its first businesses, a company focused on legged locomotion that may revolutionize robot mobility and enable robots to go anywhere people can go.
	Technology puts 'touch' into long-distance relationships Long-distance couples can share a walk, watch movies together, and even give each other a massage, using new technologies being developed in Carman Neustaedter's Simon Fraser University lab.
	Dubai aims to launch hover-taxi by July Dubai has tested a Chinese prototype of a self-driving hover-taxi, its transport authority said on Monday, with the aim of introducing the aerial vehicle in the emirate by July.
	Novel technique tracks more web users across browsers For good or ill, what users do on the web is tracked. Banks track users as an authentication technique, to offer their customers enhanced security protection. Retailers track customers and potential customers in order to deliver personalized service tailored to their tastes and needs.
	Simulated ransomware attack shows vulnerability of industrial controls Cybersecurity researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a new form of ransomware that can take over control of a simulated water treatment plant. After gaining access, they were able to command programmable logic controllers (PLCs) to shut valves, increase the amount of chlorine added to water, and display false readings.
	Now you can 'build your own' bio-bot I'll bet you don't have one of these at home.
	Low-power special-purpose chip could make speech recognition ubiquitous in electronics The butt of jokes as little as 10 years ago, automatic speech recognition is now on the verge of becoming people's chief means of interacting with their principal computing devices.
	Tesla chief in public feud with auto workers union A feud between Elon Musk and the United Automobile Workers revved up on Friday as the group denied his accusation they planted a mole to unionize Tesla employees.
	No sad endings for Japan's virtual romance fans Japanese book editor Miho Takeshita is having an affair. But the recently married 30-year-old is not worried about getting caught—her boyfriend only exists on a smartphone.
	Algorithms: the managers of our digital lives Algorithms are a crucial cog in the mechanics of our digital world, but also a nosy minder of our personal lives and a subtle, even insidious influence on our behaviour.
	Tech firms must do more against 'fake news': Apple boss Technology firms must up their game in tackling "fake news", Apple chief executive Tim Cook said Saturday, calling for a major public information campaign.
	EU at pains to punish VW over 'dieselgate' scandal A year and a half after the Volkswagen "Dieselgate" scandal erupted, the European Union is struggling to punish the Germany-based auto giant for emissions cheating and ensure customers are compensated.
Report: Mexican activists suffer spyware hack attempt An internet watchdog group said Saturday that a spyware hacking attempt targeted activists who campaigned against soft drinks and junk foods, and purportedly used Israeli-produced software sold to governments.
	Aviation takes baby steps toward sustainable fuels The air transportation sector is turning slowly toward sustainable fuels as part of the global fight against climate change.
Passengers take mobile measure of comfort for railway companies Scientists at the University of Birmingham have developed a smartphone app that allows passengers to measure ride comfort themselves using their smartphones.
	Wikipedia readers get shortchanged by copyrighted material When Google Books digitized 40 years worth of copyrighted and out-of-copyright issues of Baseball Digest magazine, Wikipedia editors realized they had scored. Suddenly they had access to pages and pages of player information from a new source. Yet not all information could be used equally: citations to out-of-copyright issues increased 135 percent more than issues still subject to copyright restrictions.
	Researchers find new date for the first mass production of timepieces New research brings the commonly accepted date for the birth of mass production of watches forwards by nearly 100 years, and, will change the way many people view the watch industry as it stands today.
	Accelerating low-carbon innovation through policy Global climate change is affecting our planet and mankind; climate science is thus instrumental in informing policy makers about its dangers, and in suggesting emission limits. Science also shows that staying within limits, while meeting the aspirations of a growing global population requires fundamental changes in energy conversion and storage. The majority of low-carbon technology innovation observed in the last decades, such as the 85% cost reduction in photovoltaic cell production since 2000, was driven by largely uncoordinated national policies. These included research incentives in Japan and the U.S., feed-in tariffs in Germany, and tax breaks in the U.S.
Diesel Cruze tops all gas or diesel cars at 52 mpg highway General Motors says its new Chevrolet Cruze diesel compact sedan will get up to 52 miles per gallon on the highway, the best mileage of any car that isn't a hybrid or electric vehicle.
	Tesla takes on Gulf gas guzzlers Electric carmaker Tesla announced the opening of a new Gulf headquarters Monday in Dubai, aiming to conquer an oil-rich region better known for gas guzzlers than environmentally friendly motoring.
	Senators try to speed up deployment of self-driving cars In the first major congressional attempt to address the advent of self-driving cars, two senators said Monday they're launching a bipartisan effort to help to speed up the deployment of the vehicles on the nation's roads.
	Verizon pulled back into unlimited data game Verizon, a longtime holdout, has joined other carriers in offering an unlimited data plan.

Medicine & Health news

	Baby's sex plays a role in pregnant women's immunity, study finds Women have claimed for years that their bodies react differently whether they're pregnant with a male or female baby. Some studies suggest that a baby's sex could play a role in why some women report differences with morning sickness, cravings and other symptoms based on the sex of their baby.
	'Anti-aging' hormone could unlock new treatments for kidney and heart disease A new study by researchers at King's College London has found that patients with diabetes suffering from the early stages of kidney disease have a deficiency of the protective 'anti-ageing' hormone, Klotho.
	Cellular quality control process could be Huntington's disease drug target The loss of motor function and mental acuity associated with Huntington's disease might be treatable by restoring a cellular quality control process, which Duke Health researchers have identified as a key factor in the degenerative illness.
	Inducing an identity crisis in liver cells may help diabetics It is now possible to reprogram cells from the liver into the precursor cells that give rise to the pancreas by altering the activity of a single gene. A team of researchers at the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC) has now accomplished this feat in mice. Their results should make it feasible to help diabetic patients through cell therapy.
	Witnessing the birth of a tiny RNA at brain synapses Proteins are the building blocks of all cells. They are made from messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules, which are copied from DNA in the nuclei of cells. All cells, including brain cells regulate the amount and kind of proteins they make with the help of very small "non-coding" RNAs, so-called microRNAs. Scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research and Goethe University in Frankfurt, respectively, now show that neurons move the site of microRNA maturation away from the cytoplasm out to the dendrites, thin processes, which are closer to where synapses are. This puts the newly born microRNA into much smaller environment with fewer mRNA target options.
	Organo-metal compound seen killing cancer cells from inside Researchers have witnessed—for the first time—cancer cells being targeted and destroyed from the inside, by an organo-metal compound discovered by the University of Warwick.
	Zebrafish discovery could hold the key to better understanding motor neuron disease Researchers from Macquarie University's MQ Health are the first in the world to use a refined UV laser ablation technique to study the cellular behavior of MND in living zebrafish. New findings, published in the Journal of Visualized Experiments on 3 February 2017, aim to better-understand how the disease spreads from neuron to neuron, through the body, in order to ultimately stop the debilitating disease in its tracks.
Study implicates neural stem cell defects in smooth brain syndrome Research led by scientists at UC San Francisco and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine has used brain "organoids"—tiny 3-D models of human organs that scientists grow in a dish to study disease—to identify root causes of Miller-Dieker Syndrome (MDS), a rare genetic disorder that causes fatal brain malformations.
	Researchers find link between a high fat diet, obesity and cardiovascular disease risk Obesity and a diet high in fat could lead to a harmful activation of the immune system, increasing a person's risk of heart disease, according to a study led by Queen Mary University of London (QMUL).
	Research suggests shorter study periods lead to better recall Here's a study tip for students cramming for upcoming exams: focusing on larger amounts of information for shorter bits of time – we are talking milliseconds – can be more effective than mulling over smaller amounts of material for longer durations.
	Microbiomes more in flux in patients with inflammatory bowel disease Patients with inflammatory bowel disease are more likely to see dramatic shifts in the make-up of the community of microbes in their gut than healthy people, according to the results of a study published online Feb. 13 in Nature Microbiology.
	Study finds that people are attracted to outward signs of health, not actual health Findings published in the journal Behavioral Ecology reveal that skin with yellow and red pigments is perceived as more attractive in Caucasian males, but this skin coloring does not necessarily signal actual good health.
	Gene discovery sheds light on growth defects linked to dwarfism A new study shows how errors in a specific gene can cause growth defects associated with a rare type of dwarfism.
	Ovarian hormones awaken newly discovered breast stem cells Walter and Eliza Hall Institute researchers have used advanced cellular, bioinformatics and imaging technology to reveal a long-lived type of stem cell in the breast that is responsible for the growth of the mammary glands during pregnancy.
	New discovery could be a major advance for neurological diseases The discovery of a new mechanism that controls the way nerve cells in the brain communicate with each other to regulate our learning and long-term memory could have major benefits to understanding how the brain works and what goes wrong in neurodegenerative disorders such as epilepsy and dementia. The breakthrough, published in Nature Neuroscience, was made by scientists at the University of Bristol and the University of Central Lancashire. The findings will have far-reaching implications in many aspects of neuroscience.
	Scientists create mouse that resists cocaine's lure Scientists at the University of British Columbia have genetically engineered a mouse that does not become addicted to cocaine, adding to the evidence that habitual drug use is more a matter of genetics and biochemistry than just poor judgment.
	Disease 'superspreaders' were driving cause of 2014 Ebola epidemic A new study about the overwhelming importance of "superspreaders" in some infectious disease epidemics has shown that in the catastrophic 2014-15 Ebola epidemic in West Africa, about 3 percent of the people infected were ultimately responsible for infecting 61 percent of all cases.
	Diabetes in your DNA? Scientists zero in on the genetic signature of risk Why do some people get Type 2 diabetes, while others who live the same lifestyle never do?
	Worm gene could be key to developing obesity treatment Monash University and Danish researchers have discovered a gene in worms that could help break the cycle of overeating and under-exercising that can lead to obesity.
	Scientists devise novel way to predict efficacy of malaria vaccines The acid test for a vaccine is: "Does it protect people from infection?" Emory Vaccine Center researchers have analyzed this issue for a leading malaria vaccine called RTS,S, and their results have identified candidate signatures, or biomarkers, in the blood of vaccinated subjects which predict the likelihood of success from vaccination.
	Team develops tool that maps functional areas of the genome to better understand disease Most of us would be lost without Google maps or similar route-guidance technologies. And when those mapping tools include additional data about traffic or weather, we can navigate even more effectively. For scientists who navigate the mammalian genome to better understand genetic causes of disease, combining various types of data sets makes finding their way easier, too.
	The motherlode of 'mother love' chemicals The feel-good brain chemical dopamine appears to play a role in the development of a healthy bond between a mother and baby, a new study suggests.
	Studies uncover long-term effects of traumatic brain injury Doctors are beginning to get answers to the question that every parent whose child has had a traumatic brain injury (TBI) wants to know: What will my child be like 10 years from now?
	Be your child's valentine (HealthDay)—Valentine's Day is two days away, and it's a great day to show your kids a little extra loving, child health experts say.
	Variation in complication rates for term newborns in Florida (HealthDay)—There is considerable variation in hospital total unexpected complication rates among newborns in Florida, according to a study published online Feb. 10 in Pediatrics.
	Study describes drug that could prevent infertility in cancer patients A new study led by Brian Hermann, assistant professor of biology at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), shows promising evidence that a medication previously used to prevent infections in cancer patients can also keep them from becoming infertile. Losing fertility is a frequent problem among cancer patients, as treatments for the disease often halt sperm production.
	Nicotine exposure during and after pregnancy can cause hearing problems in children Nicotine exposure, before and after birth, can cause a child to have hearing problems due to abnormal development in the auditory brainstem. This is according to a mouse model study published in The Journal of Physiology.
	Don't ignore infant fevers Fever in an infant who is less than 3 months old is cause for concern.
New study re-evaluates the total burden of norovirus on the UK Researchers from the University of Liverpool have found that the annual number of estimated number of norovirus cases annually in the UK is approximately 800,000 greater than previously estimated.
	Link identified between nerve cell proteins and middle-age onset dementia Nagoya University-led research identifies role for neuronal protein interaction in preventing frontotemporal lobar degeneration, a dementia that starts in middle age.
	Take Valentine's Day to heart—10 tips to better heart health While boxes of decadent chocolate treats, celebratory champagne and romantic, high-calorie dinners may dance in your mind as a way to celebrate Valentine's Day, your heart may be pining for something else. With Valentine's Day just around the corner, it is a great time to look at the state of your heart.
	Neuroimaging may aid in predicting PTSD following trauma A recent study conducted by Emory University researchers finds that amygdala reactivity may help predict who will have PTSD in the year following a trauma. The amygdala is the area in the brain that processes emotion, aggression and fear.
	Cold homes harm NZ youth health and schooling A new study from the University of Otago, Wellington has found that young people are experiencing increased health problems, stress, and adverse social effects from cold housing.
	Why you should date your best friend Being someone's BFF is a big deal – you don't hand over the other half of your "Best Friends" necklace to just anyone. Having a romantic partner who is also your best friend potentially sounds perfect. With your BFF as your romantic partner, you get the best of both worlds, someone with whom you can laugh, share your life and cuddle. When you look at seemingly happy celebrity couples like Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis, or Leslie Mann and Judd Apatow, not only do they appear to be in love, but they also seem to genuinely enjoy hanging out together.
	New online program to improve body image A new study is looking for young Australians aged 18-25 years who worry about their weight and body shape to take part in a six-week online program to improve body image.
	Couples, friends show similarity in personality traits after all Friends and romantic partners tend to have certain characteristics in common, such as age, education, and even intelligence—and yet, research has long suggested that personality isn't one of these commonalities. But a new study, using behavioral data gleaned from social media, shows that people are more like their friends and partners than previously thought.
Indian doctors prepare 'world's heaviest woman' for surgery Indian doctors put an Egyptian believed to be the world's heaviest woman on a special liquid diet Monday as they prepared her for an emergency weight-loss operation.
	Dramatic turnaround in cognitive abilities of children born to older mothers In contrast to 40 years ago, children born to older mothers today are more likely to perform better in cognitive ability tests than those born to younger mothers, reveals new research from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR).
	Fully-grown pig chimeras are only a few years away—we need to understand where they stand now If you needed an organ transplant, would you mind if it had been grown in an animal from human stem cells? Or would you do it but deep down find it frighteningly unnatural? This may all sound like science fiction, but scientists recently managed to implant human stem cells into a pig embryo – pushing us a step closer to such a future. There are also other important applications from such research, such as the study of developmental processes and diseases of many kinds.
	Study looks at ways to prevent homelessness among youth with intellectual, developmental disabilities O'Neil Allen was still a teenager when he found himself homeless on the streets of Toronto.
	Needed: an 'action plan' for kids prone to severe allergic reactions (HealthDay)—When kids are at risk of severe allergic reactions, all their caregivers should have a written action plan and epinephrine auto-injectors readily available, according to new reports from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
	Researchers identify 'Achilles' heel' of PTEN that helps drive prostate cancer progression Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) have discovered that a protein called Importin-11 protects the anti-cancer protein PTEN from destruction by transporting it into the cell nucleus. A study they publish today in The Journal of Cell Biology suggests that the loss of Importin-11 may destabilize PTEN, leading to the development of lung, prostate, and other cancers.
	Low birth weight babies at higher risk for mental health problems later in life Babies born with extremely low birth weight are not only at risk for physical problems but are also more likely to experience mental health problems later in life, according to an analysis of research conducted over nearly 30 years.
	New 'blood biopsies' with experimental device may improve cancer diagnosis and follow-up A team of investigators from Cedars-Sinai and UCLA is using a new blood-analysis technique and tiny experimental device to help physicians predict which cancers are likely to spread by identifying and characterizing tumor cells circulating through the blood.
Epstein-Barr virus and cancer: New tricks from an old dog After an infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), the virus persists in the body throughout a person's lifetime, usually without causing any symptoms. About one third of infected teenagers and young adults nevertheless develop infectious mononucleosis, also known as glandular fever or kissing disease, which usually wears off after a few weeks. In rare cases, however, the virus causes cancer, particularly lymphomas and cancers of the stomach and of the nasopharynx.
Altmetric data analysis reveals how Parkinson's disease research affects the world February 13 2017, London, UK and Boston, USA: ÜberResearch and Altmetric, leading data and analytics companies serving scientific funders and research organizations, have published an analysis of Parkinson's disease research papers with the highest Altmetric Attention Scores in the Journal of Parkinson's Disease. The publication is the first in a series aimed at utilizing Altmetric data to provide a more nuanced understanding of how the announcements of new medical discoveries affect the wide-range of disease-specific stakeholders including researchers, funders, care providers, and patients.
	Testosterone therapy provides protection against cardiovascular disease in men with low testosterone Despite the continued controversy surrounding the use of testosterone in men who have testosterone deficiency (hypogonadism), a new study has found that long-term use of testosterone therapy not only improves vigor and vitality, but may reduce the risk of death due to cardiovascular (CV) disease.
	Use of multiple brain-affecting drugs is rising among seniors, despite risks, study finds The number of older Americans who take three or more medicines that affect their brains has more than doubled in just a decade, a new study finds.
Examining different accountable care organization payment models Two new studies published online by JAMA Internal Medicine take a look at different accountable care organization (ACO) payment models.
	Depression linked to e-cigarette use among college students The emergence of e-cigarettes as a nicotine product has left scientists with many questions about their impact on health, including how the product interacts with depression. A new study by researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), published today in Nicotine & Tobacco Research, found a connection between depression and initiation of e-cigarette use among college students.
	Gene that helps form trauma-related memories may also help prevent PTSD A specific gene that helps form memories from traumatic events can be manipulated—and in doing so may actually help prevent post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to a new study led NYU Langone Medical Center that recently published in Neuropharmacology.
Women in academic cardiology are significantly less likely to be full professors The first study to evaluate sex differences in academic ranking among academic cardiologists has found that women were significantly less likely than men to be full professors, even when adjusting for factors such as age, years of experience and research productivity that are traditionally associated with academic rank. The report from investigators at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) has ben published in the American Heart Association journal Circulation.
Scientists isolate new antibodies to fight human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) Researchers from VIB, UGent, the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth and several collaborators developed a new antiviral strategy to fight human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections in children. The approach hinges on the use of single-domain antibodies, also known as Nanobodies, which target and neutralize a vital protein in the virus, rendering it unable to enter lung cells. The research, published in the leading scientific journal Nature Communications, elucidates how these Nanobodies interact with and neutralize the virus and demonstrates their ability to successfully protect mice from RSV infection and related inflammation.
Insurance status impacts complication rates after shoulder replacement surgery Patients undergoing shoulder replacement surgery who have Medicaid, Medicare or no health insurance, had higher complication rates as compared to patients who had private insurance.
	Married people have lower levels of stress hormone Studies have suggested that married people are healthier than those who are single, divorced or widowed. A new Carnegie Mellon University study provides the first biological evidence to explain how marriage impacts health.
	In-depth gene search reveals new mutations, drug targets in rare adrenal tumors Casting one of the largest genomic nets to date for the rare tumors of the autonomic nervous system known as pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PCC/PGL) captured several new mutations driving the disease that could serve as potential drug targets, researchers from Penn Medicine and other institutions reported this week in Cancer Cell.
	Plant-made hemophilia therapy shows promise, study finds People with hemophilia require regular infusions of clotting factor to prevent them from experiencing uncontrolled bleeding. But a significant fraction develop antibodies against the clotting factor, essentially experiencing an allergic reaction to the very treatment that can prolong their lives.
	Vet study shows how solid tumors resist immunotherapy Immunotherapies have revolutionized cancer treatment, offering hope to those whose malignancies have stubbornly survived other existing treatments. Yet solid tumor cancers are often resistant to these approaches.
	Gluten-free diet may increase risk of arsenic, mercury exposure People who eat a gluten-free diet may be at risk for increased exposure to arsenic and mercury - toxic metals that can lead to cardiovascular disease, cancer and neurological effects, according to a report in the journal Epidemiology.
Strong alcohol policies protect against drunk driving deaths among young people Stronger alcohol policies protect young people from dying in crashes caused by drunk driving according to researchers at Boston Medical Center. The study, which is published online in the journal Pediatrics, supports the importance of comprehensive alcohol control policies to reduce the number of young people who die in alcohol-related crashes.
Heavy snowfall, longer duration, associated with higher risk of heart attack People living in areas with winter snow may need to think twice before shovelling after a heavy snowstorm. According to a new study, snowfall is associated with a higher risk of hospital admission for heart attack, or myocardial infarction (MI), after heavy snowfall, especially in men. The study, published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal), found associations with larger snowfalls and longer duration of snow.
	Neurons support cancer growth throughout the body Cancer cells rely on the healthy cells that surround them for sustenance. Tumors reroute blood vessels to nourish themselves, secrete chemicals that scramble immune responses, and, according to recent studies, even recruit and manipulate neurons for their own gain. This pattern holds true not just for brain cancers, but also for prostate cancer, skin cancer, pancreatic cancer, and stomach cancer. Stanford neuroscientists review how tumors exploit neuronal signals February 13 in Trends in Cancer.
	Researchers discover how the brain turns chronic stress into pathological anxiety In a new study, researchers at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have described how two important molecules in the brain work together to trigger intense anxiety.
	Device measures calorie content of social media—promising new insights for public health It's easy to find out how many calories are in a Twinkie. But how about in a tweet? A team of scientists have invented a new instrument for measuring just that: the caloric content of social media posts—like tweets.
Allergan buys fat-freezing company for $2.5 bn Drug giant Allergan announced Monday the $2.5 billion acquisition of Zeltiq Aesthetics, makers of a fast-growing technology to eliminate body fat through "CoolSculpting," which essentially freezes unwanted fat away.
	Intensive blood pressure control could prevent 100,000 deaths each year Researchers have projected that aggressively lowering blood pressure could help prevent more than 100,000 deaths in the U.S. each year.
	Mediterranean diet with virgin olive oil may boost 'good' cholesterol A Mediterranean diet rich in virgin olive oil may enhance the cardioprotective benefits of high-density lipoproteins (HDL—the "good" cholesterol) compared to other diets, according to new research in the American Heart Association's journal Circulation.
Taking a high-priced cancer drug with a low-fat meal can cut cost by 75 percent Taking one-fourth the standard dose of a widely used drug for prostate cancer with a low-fat breakfast can be as effective - and four times less expensive - as taking the standard dose as recommended: on an empty stomach.
American College of Physicians issues guideline for treating nonradicular low back pain The American College of Physicians (ACP) recommends in an evidence-based clinical practice guideline published today in Annals of Internal Medicine that physicians and patients should treat acute or subacute low back pain with non-drug therapies such as superficial heat, massage, acupuncture, or spinal manipulation. If drug therapy is desired, physicians and patients should select nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or skeletal muscle relaxants.
	Potential new treatment combats COPD and other lung diseases New research published online in The FASEB Journal reveals a potential drug to combat the life-threatening effects of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Specifically, the study investigated the efficacy of a receptor for advanced glycan end-products (RAGE)-specific antagonist chemical compound, FPS-ZM1, in mice, and found that this compound reverses the inflammatory response and has a protective role in COPD.
	Study reveals surprising link between athletics and addiction As she was planning her study to look into the role physical activity and sport play in the development of substance addiction, Laurie de Grace was forewarned that she may have trouble finding any recovering addicts with a sporting background to speak with.
Career military women who served in Vietnam: Happier and in better health than all women A study just released by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health reports on the health of American women who were deployed to Vietnam for either military or civilian service. The results show that 48 percent of career military women were very happy compared to 38 percent of women in the general population, and of better than average physical and mental health. The study is the first study to describe the experiences of civilian women deployed to a warzone, compare them to those of military women and match the patterns of general health and happiness for women deployed to Vietnam with a representative sample of their peers. Findings are published online in the journal Social Science & Medicine—Population Health.
	For decision-makers who want the best, focus on the strategy People make decisions every day, some trivial, like what to eat for lunch, while others are more significant—career, marriage, buying a home. A series of studies conducted by Jeff Hughes and Abigail Scholar (University of Waterloo) show that how people make their decisions, not just the outcome, may impact their health, happiness and satisfaction. The research appears in the journal, Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, published by the Society for Personality and Social Psychology (SPSP).
	Psychologists design an experiment to investigate whether human vision is more sensitive during physical activity It's universally accepted that the benefits of exercise go well beyond fitness, from reducing the risk of disease to improving sleep and enhancing mood. Physical activity gives cognitive function a boost as well as fortifying memory and safeguarding thinking skills.
	How eating less can slow the aging process There's a multi-billion-dollar industry devoted to products that fight signs of aging, but moisturizers only go skin deep. Aging occurs deeper—at a cellular level—and scientists have found that eating less can slow this cellular process.
Lawmakers question pricing of drug for genetic disease Marathon Pharmaceuticals' pricing of a drug to treat genetic muscle deterioration in about 15,000 Americans, mostly boys, is raising concerns in Congress where lawmakers repeatedly have challenged drug companies.
	Eczema may leave some flu shots less effective, study finds (HealthDay)—It's still flu season, and not too late to get your flu shot. But a new study suggests that people with eczema should request the vaccine be given into the muscle, rather than just under the skin.
	FDA issues warning about balloon obesity treatments (HealthDay)—Fluid-filled balloons placed in the stomach to treat obesity have been linked to serious complications, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reports.
	Researchers urge radiotherapy for all patients with bone mets (HealthDay)—For patients with bone metastases, those responding to radiotherapy experience greater pain reduction and better quality of life (QOL) at day 10 after radiotherapy, according to a study published online Feb. 9 in JAMA Oncology.
	Total retinal blood flow lower in diabetic macular edema (HealthDay)—Total retinal blood flow (TRBF) is significantly lower in eyes of patients with diabetic macular edema (DME), according to a study published online Feb. 9 in JAMA Ophthalmology.
	Surgeon-specific learning curve for transoral robotic surgery (HealthDay)—The learning curve for transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx (OPSCC) is surgeon-specific, according to a study published online Feb. 9 in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.
	Patient-reported symptom score predicts outcome in amyloidosis (HealthDay)—A patient-reported symptom score can help predict clinical outcomes in patients with light-chain amyloidosis (AL), according to a study published online Feb. 9 in the American Journal of Hematology.
	RT dose main risk for radiation-induced optic neuropathy (HealthDay)—The main risk factor for developing radiation-induced optic neuropathy (RION) is radiation dose, with no indication of other significant risk factors, according to a study published online Feb. 9 in Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology.
	Similar metabolic response to animal, plant protein diets (HealthDay)—For patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), isocaloric diets high in animal protein (AP) or plant protein (PP) are associated with similar improvements in metabolism and cardiovascular risk factors, according to a study published online Feb. 9 in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.
	High-energy protocol improves photoaged facial skin (HealthDay)—For patients with mild-to-moderate facial wrinkles, a high-energy protocol with combined bipolar radiofrequency and infrared light energies improves facial skin, according to a study published online Feb. 8 in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
	Short-course tocilizumab may up hep B reactivation in RA (HealthDay)—For patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), one to three doses of tocilizumab may increase the risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation, according to a study published online Feb. 3 in the International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases.
	Access to naloxone eased in Louisiana, Utah (HealthDay)—Health officials in Utah and Louisiana have issued orders to make naloxone more widely available in an effort to prevent overdose deaths, according to a report from the American Medical Association.
	Review links albuminuria to cognitive impairment, dementia (HealthDay)—Albuminuria is associated with cognitive impairment, dementia, and cognitive decline, according to a review published online Feb. 2 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Study shows poor children face higher rates of asthma and ADHD Poverty takes a toll on human health and especially on children.
	Septic shock surveillance should be based on clinical data, not billing codes Sepsis is a major public health problem and the focus of national quality measures and performance improvement initiatives. Understanding what is happening with sepsis rates and outcomes is thus an area of great importance. However, tracking sepsis rates and outcomes is challenging because it is a heterogeneous syndrome without a definitive "gold standard" test. In the February issue of Chest, investigators compared the effectiveness of claims-based surveillance using ICD-9 codes with clinical-based data and specific diagnostic parameters. Their findings suggest that surveillance based on clinical criteria is a more reliable way to track cases of septic shock.
Sargento recalls cheese due to possible contamination Wisconsin-based cheesemaker Sargento Foods Inc. is recalling a specialty cheese because of possible bacterial contamination.
DR Congo's street food mushrooms as crisis grows In crisis-hit Democratic Republic of Congo, people in the capital increasingly turn to street hawkers to feed themselves and their families cheaply, but the makeshift option is often not a hygienic one.
Blood test provides clues to bladder cancer patients' prognoses New research indicates that about one-quarter of patients with bladder cancer treated with radical surgery on curative intent have detectable levels of tumour cells circulating in their blood. The presence of circulating tumour cells was also a predictor of cancer recurrence and death.
Study finds glucose supplementation significantly reduces length of induced labor A study in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology finds that simple glucose supplementation reduces length of induced labor. The study (currently available online as an Article in Press, in advance of the May issue of the Journal), was initally presented two weeks ago at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine's annual meeting, The Pregnancy Meeting. The study, "Reduction of total labor length through the addition of parenteral dextrose solution in induction of labor in nulliparous: results of DEXTRONS prospective randomized controlled trial," was conducted by researchers with the Université de Sherbrooke in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada. The study investigated the use of glucose to shorten induced labor in nulliparous (first time giving birth). The primary outcome studied was the total length of active labor.
	New study compares bone-inducing properties of 3-D-printed mineralized scaffolds A new study of bone formation from stem cells seeded on 3D-printed bioactive scaffolds combined with different mineral additives showed that some of the scaffold mineral composites induced bone-forming activity better than others. The properties and potential to use these bioactive scaffolds in bone regeneration applications are discussed in an article published in Tissue Engineering, Part A.
	Home use of hybrid closed-loop insulin delivery system shown safe and effective A pivotal registration trial to evaluate in-home use of the Medtronic MiniMed 670G hybrid closed-loop insulin delivery system over 3 months showed a significant reduction in HbA1c levels for both adolescents and adults with type 1 diabetes. None of the participants experienced a severe hypoglycemic or diabetic ketoacidosis event, demonstrating the safety of system, as reported in an article published in Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics (DTT).
Preventing hospital-related deaths due to medical errors—'We can and must do better' How many patients die in the hospital as a result of preventable medical errors? While debate continues over estimates based on flawed data, the US healthcare system can and must implement effective strategies to reduce adverse events and deaths, according to a special perspective article in the March Journal of Patient Safety.
Poorly tuned neuronal communication may underlie neurological and psychiatric disease A number of psychiatric and neurological disorders may result from abnormal synapses, the neuron-to-neuron connection sites that enable chemical communication between brain cells. The timing, frequency, and intensity of neuronal communication inside synapses contribute significantly to brain development and processing. Therefore, variations in synaptic function may drive the variability in learning, motor, and behavioral problems associated with conditions like autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
	Stress buster (HealthDay)—The same system that activates the stress response in your body—the autonomic nervous system—also regulates other functions, including heart rate, blood pressure and breathing rate. But unlike most autonomic functions, which are hard or impossible to control, you can easily take control of your breathing.
	Drug increases survival in dogs with cancer A breakthrough trial at the University of Minnesota testing a new UMN-developed drug resulted in improved survival rates for dogs diagnosed with a cancer called hemangiosarcoma (HSA). The results were published today in the journal Molecular Cancer Therapeutics.

Biology news

	Scientists discover an unexpected influence on dividing stem cells' fate When most cells divide, they simply make more of themselves. But stem cells, which are responsible for repairing or making new tissue, have a choice: They can generate more stem cells or differentiate into skin cells, liver cells, or virtually any of the body's specialized cell types.
	Tough early life makes wild animals live longer Growing up in tough conditions can make wild animals live longer, new research suggests.
	Mismatched eyes help squid survive ocean's twilight zone From eyes the size of basketballs to appendages that blink and glow, deep-sea dwellers have developed some strange features to help them survive their cold, dark habitat.
	How evolution alters biological invasions Biological invasions pose major threats to biodiversity, but little is known about how evolution might alter their impacts over time.
	DNA repair—a new letter in the cell alphabet Cells need to repair damaged DNA in our genes to prevent the development of cancer and other diseases. Our cells therefore activate and send "repair-proteins" to the damaged parts within the DNA. To do this, an elaborate protein language has evolved. Now scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing in Cologne have discovered the way a new letter of this alphabet is used in cells. This novel protein modification, called serine ADP-ribosylation, has been overlooked by scientists for decades. This finding reveals how important discoveries may be hidden in scientific "blind spots."
	Making single-cell RNA sequencing widely available Sequencing messenger RNA molecules from individual cells offers a glimpse into the lives of those cells, revealing what they're doing at a particular time. However, the equipment required to do this kind of analysis is cumbersome and not widely available.
New tool can help researchers identify enzymes—and their abundance—in microbiomes For researchers studying the possible connections between human health and the trillions of microbes that inhabit our digestive tract, what makes the work so exciting is also what makes it challenging.
	How to be a successful pest: Lessons from the green peach aphid UK Scientists, in collaboration with groups in Europe and the US, have discovered why the green peach aphid (Myzus persicae) is one of the most destructive pests to many of our most important crops. Their research will inform industry and research programmes to support pest control and aid global food security.
	Impact of climate change on mammals and birds 'greatly under-estimated' An international study published today involving University of Queensland research has found large numbers of threatened species have already been impacted by climate change.
New protein discovery may lead to new, natural antibiotics Scientists have discovered a new protein that likely will advance the search for new natural antibiotics, according to a study by Texas A&M AgriLife Research published Feb. 13 in the journal Nature Microbiology.
	Chemical engineers boost bacteria's productivity MIT chemical engineers have designed a novel genetic switch that allows them to dramatically boost bacteria's production of useful chemicals by shutting down competing metabolic pathways in the cells.
	Desert songbirds may face expanding threat of lethal dehydration A new study of songbird dehydration and survival risk during heat waves in the United States desert Southwest suggests that some birds are at risk of lethal dehydration and mass die-offs when water is scarce, and the risk is expected to increase as climate change advances.
	Sulfide-sensing mechanisms in purple bacteria Recent evidence demonstrates that the origins of photosynthesis can be found in deep sea hydrothermal vents, where microbes evolved to obtain energy from ejected hydrogen sulfide and methane gases. These microbes are capable of oxidizing sulfides and other gases and using them as electron donors to generate energy.
	Mutant maize offers key to understanding plant growth How plant cells divide and how that contributes to plant growth has been one of the longstanding unsolved mysteries of cell biology. Two conflicting ideas have fueled the mystery.
	Simple rule explains complex group swimming patterns Watching the smooth movement generated by hundreds of fish as they swim in unison is truly mesmerising. But it's not only its sheer beauty that makes it so hard to look away, for scientists, it's also the fact that its emergence is so difficult to explain. In an article published today (February 13, 2017) in the scientific journal PNAS, researchers from Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown (CCU), in Lisbon, present a surprisingly simple rule that explains how complex patterns of collective movement emerge in zebrafish as they develop from recently hatched larvae into adults.
	Looking at Sardinian DNA for genetic clues to an island's—and Europe's—past Sardinia sits at a crossroads in the Mediterranean Sea, the second largest island next to Sicily. Surrounded by sparkling turquoise waters, this Mediterranean jewel lies northwest of the toe of the Italian peninsula boot, about 350 kilometers due west of Rome.
	Possible key to regeneration found in planaria's origins A new report from the Stowers Institute for Medical Research chronicles the embryonic origins of planaria, providing new insight into the animal's remarkable regenerative abilities.
	Fresh whale stranding on notorious New Zealand beach Rescue workers are in a race against time to refloat 100 whales stranded on a New Zealand shore a day after a mass beaching left hundreds dead.
	More than 200 whales swim away after New Zealand stranding Whale lovers in New Zealand finally got some good news on Sunday after more than 200 stranded whales managed to refloat themselves overnight and swim away, while volunteers managed to save another 17 whales at high tide.
	No fresh whale strandings seen in New Zealand Rescuers found no newly stranded whales Monday on a notorious stretch of New Zealand's coastline where hundreds of marine mammals died after beaching themselves last week, conservation officials said.
	Image: Valentine-shaped mouse skin cancer cells connected with actin protein This heart-shaped image shows two mouse skin cancer cells connected to each other with actin, a protein that is part of the cellular skeleton. Researchers use mouse cells like these to tease out the molecular methods that cancer employs to invade new tissues in the body. It turns out that actin plays an essential role.
	High metal levels found in Queensland turtle blood Cobalt, a naturally occurring mineral that can also be an environmental pollutant, has been recorded in the blood of Queensland turtles at potentially harmful levels
	Roses are red, violets are blue—what gives flowers those eye-catching hues? To solve the mystery of why roses are red and violets are blue, scientists are peering into the genes of plant petals.
	Help to save rare humpback dolphins Flinders researchers have confirmed the importance of the remote Ningaloo Reef as a conservation site of significance for the rare and secretive Australian humpback dolphin.
	New software will standardize data collection for great white sharks The lack of a standardized procedure for collecting data about elusive and hard to find species like the great white shark has to date seriously hampered efforts to manage and protect these animals.
	Are drones disturbing marine mammals? Marine researchers have made sure that their research drones aren't disturbing their research subjects, shows a report in Frontiers in Marine Science. And they're hoping that others will follow their example to help protect wildlife in the future.
	Researchers discover a new link to fight billion-dollar threat to soybean production Invisible to the naked eye, cyst nematodes are a major threat to agriculture, causing billions of dollars in global crop losses every year. A group of plant scientists, led by University of Missouri researchers, recently found one of the mechanisms cyst nematodes use to invade and drain life-sustaining nutrients from soybean plants. Understanding the molecular basis of interactions between plants and nematodes could lead to the development of new strategies to control these major agricultural pests and help feed a growing global population.
	Some China cities close poultry markets amid bird flu fears Several Chinese cities have shut down their poultry markets in the wake of a bird flu outbreak that has killed at least two dozen people this year across China.
	Honeybees hijacked by parasitic fly larvae If you've ever seen bees flying around at night, there's a good chance they're so-called "ZomBees"—honey bees whose brains are under the control of tiny fly larvae growing inside their bodies.
	Unique study reveals dog owners' motivations for pet blood donation A new study by researchers at the University of Nottingham's Vet School has revealed fascinating insights into the motivations of pet owners who volunteer their dog as a blood donor.

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