Science X Newsletter Thursday, Feb 2

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for February 2, 2017:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

No ink required: paper can be printed with light

Sleep research high-resolution images show how the brain resets during sleep

Research pushes concept of entropy out of kilter

Thin, flexible, light-absorbent material for energy and stealth applications

Scientists identify two brain networks influencing how we make decisions

Penguins' hunting strategies inspire researchers looking into car software

Low level of oxygen in Earth's middle ages delayed evolution for two billion years

Predator threat boosts friendships among guppies

Quantum phase transition observed for the first time

Scientists reveal potential way of boosting immune system's memory to fight cancer

New route-finding map lets Seattle pedestrians avoid hills, construction, accessibility barriers

Bird lovers help scientists discover secrets of beak evolution

Gamma oscillations coordinate food seeking

Researchers investigate mechanics of lithium sulfides, which show promise as solid electrolytes

Catalyst mediates energy-efficient proton transport for reversibility

Astronomy & Space news

	Experiments suggest red spot on Pluto may have come about from impact that formed Charon (Phys.org)—A combined team of researchers from several institutions in Japan has found evidence that suggests Pluto's distinctive red spot may have developed after a massive collision with a comet or other object. In their paper published in the journal Nature Astronomy, the researchers detail experiments they conducted that showed that the red spot on Pluto may have come about due to pools that developed on the dwarf planet's surface after a collision.
	New research shows Ceres may have vanishing ice volcanoes A recently discovered solitary ice volcano on the dwarf planet Ceres may have some hidden older siblings, say scientists who have tested a likely way such mountains of icy rock - called cryovolcanoes - might disappear over millions of years.
	Change in astronaut's gut bacteria attributed to spaceflight Northwestern University researchers studying the gut bacteria of Scott and Mark Kelly, NASA astronauts and identical twin brothers, as part of a unique human study have found that changes to certain gut "bugs" occur in space.
	NASA's Juno spacecraft to make its fourth flyby over Jupiter NASA's Juno spacecraft will make its fourth flyby over Jupiter's mysterious cloud tops on Thursday, Feb. 2, at 4:57 a.m. PST (7:57 a.m. EST, 12:57 UTC).
	Tail of stray black hole hiding in the Milky Way It is difficult to find black holes, because they are completely black. In some cases black holes cause effects which can be seen. For example if a black hole has a companion star, gas streaming into the black hole piles up around it and forms a disk. The disk heats up due to the enormous gravitational pull by the black hole and emits intense radiation. But if a black hole is floating alone in space, no emissions would be observable coming from it.
	NASA scientist studies whether solar storms cause animal beachings A long-standing mystery among marine biologists is why otherwise healthy whales, dolphins, and porpoises—collectively known as cetaceans—end up getting stranded along coastal areas worldwide. Could severe solar storms, which affect Earth's magnetic fields, be confusing their internal compasses and causing them to lose their way?

Technology news

	Penguins' hunting strategies inspire researchers looking into car software (Tech Xplore)—There was a time when techies hearing the word penguin promptly assumed you were talking about Linux. This week the word penguin promptly intimates something is going on with researchers and biomimicry focused on, literally, the penguin.
	New route-finding map lets Seattle pedestrians avoid hills, construction, accessibility barriers Transportation routing services primarily designed for people in cars don't give pedestrians, parents pushing bulky strollers or people in wheelchairs much information about how to easily navigate a neighborhood using sidewalks.
	Facebook's Oculus facing $500 million bill in copyright case Facebook's virtual-reality subsidiary and two of its founders are facing a sobering reality after a jury hit them with a $500 million bill for violating the intellectual property rights of video-game maker ZeniMax Media.
	Japan court rejects 'right to be forgotten' on Google Japan's Supreme Court has rejected a man's demand that news search results of his arrest on sex charges be deleted from Google, ruling that to do so would violate freedom of expression.
	Nokia reports 766 million euro loss in 2016 Telecoms giant Nokia on Thursday said that falling network sales and costs stemming from acquisitions and its integration of Alcatel-Lucent had resulted in a "disappointing" loss in 2016.
Arkansas bill aimed at forcing Amazon to collect sales taxes Forcing Amazon and other e-commerce companies to collect Arkansas sales taxes could generate up to $100 million annually in extra revenue, a senator said Wednesday, arguing his plan would put the state in a better position to enact deeper tax cuts in two years.
H&R Block adds IBM's Watson to its tax team H&R Block Inc. is working IBM's Watson supercomputer this tax season.
	Mercedes-Benz luxury cars fuel fat profits at Daimler German automaker Daimler AG said Thursday that its fourth-quarter net profit jumped 18 percent—but offered only a modest outlook for future earnings as it prepares to spend heavily on new models and advanced technologies such as autonomous driving.
	An ethical hacker explains how to track down the bad guys When a cyberattack occurs, ethical hackers are called in to be digital detectives. In a certain sense, they are like regular police detectives on TV. They have to search computer systems to find ways an intruder might have come in – a digital door or window left unlocked, perhaps. They look for evidence an attacker left of entry, like an electronic footprint in the dirt. And they try to determine what might have been copied or taken.
	Paper: Mexico's natural gas and electricity industries still far from a competitive marketplace The recent reform in Mexico's natural gas and electricity industries is hampered from ushering in a competitive marketplace because of the country's economic regulation and regulatory design, according to a new paper from the Mexico Center at Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy.
	Battling corrosion to keep solar panels humming People think of corrosion as rust on cars or oxidation that blackens silver, but it also harms critical electronics and connections in solar panels, lowering the amount of electricity produced.
Study suggests choice between green energy or economic growth Poverty, unemployment and zero economic growth are the likely outcome for countries which choose renewable energy sources over fossil fuels, according to a study.
	Apple keeps lead in slumping tablet market Apple remains the leader in a global tablet computer market which has been in an extended slump for the past two years, according to surveys released Thursday.
	Amazon profit jumps while revenue misses mark US online colossus Amazon on Thursday reported that profit in the final three months of last year leapt, but saw shares sink as rising revenue fell shy of expectations.
	Amazon increasingly wants to be its own deliveryman Amazon isn't content just being the "everything store." Increasingly, it looks like it wants to be its own deliveryman, too.
	Snapchat parent Snap to raise up to $3 bn in IPO The parent of the fast-growing social network Snapchat filed public documents for a share offering Thursday, seeking to raise up to $3 billion.
	After oil and gas, Denmark's Dong ditches coal Danish green energy giant Dong said Thursday it was pulling out of coal use, burning another bridge to its fossil fuel past after ditching oil and gas.
Reddit bans forum for white nationalists from its website Reddit has banned a forum for white nationalists from its social news website, citing the company's rules against posting personal information and online harassment.
	Spain: 4 engineers investigated over 'Phineas Fisher' hack Four people are being formally investigated in Spain on suspicion of breaking into a police union website last year, Catalonia's regional police said Thursday.

Medicine & Health news

	Sleep research high-resolution images show how the brain resets during sleep Striking electron microscope pictures from inside the brains of mice suggest what happens in our own brain every day: Our synapses - the junctions between nerve cells - grow strong and large during the stimulation of daytime, then shrink by nearly 20 percent while we sleep, creating room for more growth and learning the next day.
	Scientists identify two brain networks influencing how we make decisions Scientists at the Medical Research Council Brain Network Dynamics Unit at the University of Oxford have pinpointed two distinct mechanisms in the human brain that control the balance between speed and accuracy when making decisions.
	Scientists reveal potential way of boosting immune system's memory to fight cancer Scientists from the University of Southampton have discovered an important way that the immune system can learn to recognise and fight cancers.
	Gamma oscillations coordinate food seeking Food seeking is a crucial survival instinct. However, until recently, little was known about how the brain regulates this behavior. Scientists at the Leibniz-Institut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP) and NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence in Berlin discovered a neuronal circuit which regulates the hypothalamus and activates food seeking in mice. Surprisingly, this neural mechanism appeared to utilize gamma oscillations, and does not depend on hunger. Optogenetics techniques shed light on the behavioral function of this circuit. The findings allow for better understanding of the mechanisms of feeding behavior, and could lead to development of innovative therapies to treat eating disorders. These results have been published in the scientific journal Nature.
	Cruciferous vegetables help the immune system to fight intestinal pathogens A study in mice shows that eating cruciferous vegetables—including broccoli, kale and cauliflower - helps the immune system to fight intestinal pathogens. The research might have implications for people with inflammatory bowel diseases.
	A healthy work limit is 39 hours per week, study shows People who work more than 39 hours a week are putting their health at risk, new research from The Australian National University (ANU) has found.
	New Zika vaccine candidate protects mice and monkeys with a single dose A new Zika vaccine candidate has the potential to protect against the virus with a single dose, according to a research team led by scientists from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. As reported in Nature this week, preclinical tests showed promising immune responses in both mice and monkeys.
	Researchers chart global genetic interaction networks in human cancer cells Cancer is a heterogeneous disease, with myriad distinct subtypes that differ in their genetic roots. As a result, cancers rely on varied pathways for survival—and respond differently to anticancer agents. The challenge for researchers is to precisely define those diverse pathways and pinpoint vulnerabilities that may serve as drug targets for new anti-cancer treatments.
	Trouble getting to sleep? Scientists say go camping In our modern times, many of us sit up late into the night, watching TV, fiddling with our smartphones, or reading a book by lamplight. Getting up to the sound of the morning alarm isn't easy. Now, researchers reporting in Current Biology on February 2 have more evidence to suggest that the solution to these sleeping woes could be as simple as spending more time outdoors in the sun. A few days spent backcountry camping is enough to send people to bed earlier, no matter the season.
	Sleep deprivation handicaps the brain's ability to form new memories, study in mice shows Studying mice, scientists at Johns Hopkins have fortified evidence that a key purpose of sleep is to recalibrate the brain cells responsible for learning and memory so the animals can "solidify" lessons learned and use them when they awaken—in the case of nocturnal mice, the next evening.
	Scientists find key cues to regulate bone-building cells The prospect of regenerating bone lost to cancer or trauma is a step closer to the clinic as University of Wisconsin-Madison scientists have identified two proteins found in bone marrow as key regulators of the master cells responsible for making new bone.
	Study points to a universal immune mechanism as a regulator of sleep Sleep—one of the most basic, yet most mystifying processes of the human body—has confounded physicians, scientists and evolutionary biologists for centuries.
	Precision-medicine approach could revive prostate cancer test A new study led by researchers at UC San Francisco and Kaiser Permanente has identified genetic predictors of normal prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in healthy men, which could be used to improve the accuracy of PSA-based prostate cancer screening tests.
	Brain plasticity: How adult-born neurons get wired-in One goal in neurobiology is to understand how the flow of electrical signals through brain circuits gives rise to perception, action, thought, learning and memories.
	Insomnia linked to higher risk of developing asthma People experiencing insomnia symptoms have a higher risk of developing asthma, according to a new study published in the European Respiratory Journal.
Study reveals public resistance toward workplace standing guidelines A new King's College London study reveals significant public resistance and misunderstanding surrounding the UK's first health guidelines on sedentary behaviour at work, which were a response to mounting evidence on the health risks of prolonged sitting, including higher risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and certain cancers.
	Cytotoxins contribute to virulence of deadly epidemic bacterial infections Beginning in the mid-1980s, an epidemic of severe invasive infections caused by Streptococcus pyogenes (S. pyogenes), also known as group A streptococcus (GAS), occurred in the United States, Europe, and elsewhere. The general public became much more aware of these serious and sometimes fatal infections, commonly known as the "flesh-eating disease." Potent cytotoxins produced by this human pathogen contribute to the infection. A new study in The American Journal of Pathology reports that the bacteria's full virulence is dependent on the presence of two specific cytotoxins, NADase (SPN) and streptolysin O (SLO).
Overnights at dad's home benefit divorced mothers, fathers and their babies In the aftermath of a separation or divorce there are real choices that need to be made about where the children will spend the night.
	Common pain relievers may increase heart attack risk during respiratory infections Widely used pain relievers may increase the risk of a heart attack when used during a cold or flu-like illness, according to a new study published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases. The findings suggest physicians and patients should use caution when prescribing or taking the medications, known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, to ease symptoms of acute respiratory infections.
	With mini-vessels, mini-brains expand research potential Scientists have recently made a wondrous variety of mini-brains—3-D cultures of neural cells that model basic properties of living brains—but a new finding could add to the field's growing excitement in an entirely new "vein": Brown University's mini-brains now grow blood vessels, too.
	How to stop pain from serious burns using epigenetics Pain caused by harmful stimuli can be alleviated by blocking a genetic marker that switches off the activity of the neurons involved. Jose Vicente Torres Pérez, a Spanish researcher who works at Imperial College in London, has trialled this innovative pain relief therapy on mice with serious burns. The aim is to use his findings to help burn victims.
	How dying cells detach from their neighbours Researchers from the Mechanobiology Institute, Singapore (MBI) at the National University of Singapore have described how dying cells detach and are expelled from a tissue, and how tissue tension in the region surrounding a dying cell is remodeled. The work was published online in the scientific journal Development in November 2016.
	The status of Zika one year later It's been one year since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Zika a public health emergency.
	Revolutionary device will show the way forward for the blind Daily life for blind and vision-impaired people will be dramatically improved following the development by University of Melbourne researchers of a prototype of an electronic device to help them avoid non-protruding obstacles.
Nutrition labels improve understanding Nutrition labels have a minor impact on New Zealand consumer healthy food choices, according to the latest study from the University of Auckland.
	MRI brain scans may help identify risks, prevent adolescent substance abuse Neuroimaging of the brain using technologies such as magnetic resonance imaging, or MRIs, increasingly is showing promise as a technique to predict adolescent vulnerability to substance abuse disorders, researchers conclude in a new analysis.
Whole-body heat stress lowers exercise capacity, blood flow in men Researchers have found that prolonged exposure to high temperatures can raise both the skin and core temperature, reducing blood flow to the brain and limbs during exercise and limiting the ability to exercise for long periods. The study, the first of its kind to separate the effects of skin- versus internal-raised temperature (hyperthermia), is published in Physiological Reports.
	Swearing correlated with higher language-related intelligence The use of obscene or taboo language, or swearing as it's more commonly known, is often seen as a sign that the speaker lacks vocabulary, cannot express themselves in a less offensive way, or even lacks intelligence. Studies have shown, however, that swearing may in fact display a more, rather than less, intelligent use of language.
	Advances in models for early prediction of migraine and other chronic conditions Researchers from Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and Universidad Complutense de Madrid have developed a methodology early prediction of crises in chronic diseases, such as migraines.
	Researchers develop best-yet cell culture system for age-related macular degeneration An international team from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and University College London and Queens University Belfast in the United Kingdom developed a cell culture model that could help to develop earlier treatment strategies for age-related macular degeneration, the third most prevalent cause of vision loss worldwide.
Addicted individuals less responsive to reward-anticipation It may be difficult for addicted individuals to learn when they can expect a reward. This learning problem could perhaps explain why they are more prone to addiction and find it difficult to kick the habit. Researchers at Radboud university medical center and Radboud University reached this conclusion on the basis of an extensive meta-analysis of the brain imaging literature. Their findings were published in JAMA Psychiatry on 1 February.
Antidepressants induce resilience and reverse susceptibility When they work, antidepressant medications may take weeks or months to alleviate symptoms of depression. Progress in developing new and more effective antidepressant treatments has been limited, though a new study published in Biological Psychiatry offers new insights into how antidepressants work.
Treatment has no sufficient effect in 1 of 5 psoriasis patients A substantial part of people, one in five, undergoing systemic treatment for psoriasis till have considerable problems with their disease. This according to a study with 2,646 Swedish psoriasis patients conducted at Umeå University and the Swedish Institute for Health Economics, and recently published in the Journal of Dermatological Treatment.
	Patients with depression find it easier to abandon unattainable goals "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again!" This saying is drummed into us from a young age, when our tower of building blocks keeps collapsing or we just can't get the hang of riding a bicycle. Perseverance is praised and we are told that only with the right motivation will we be able to achieve the aims we have set ourselves.
	Lasting autistic traits in women with anorexia Women with anorexia display clear autistic traits, even once the eating disorder is under control and they have achieved a normal weight, according to research from Sahlgrenska Academy. The similarities between anorexia and autism in women are also seen in a part of the brain which process social skills.
	Why children find 'poo' so hilarious – and how adults should tackle it A boy meets a man carrying a load of cow manure and asks him what he is going to do with it all. The man tells the little boy, "I'm taking it home to put on my strawberries". The boy looks up at the man and says, "I don't know where you come from, but where I come from we put cream and sugar on our strawberries."
Seven studies address scientific, cultural considerations for kids born with ambiguous genitalia, mismatched chromosomes Disorders and differences of sex development, or DSD, has replaced "intersex" to describe a spectrum of conditions related to defects of human sex development. The new terminology follows an explosion of research investigating challenges related to DSD, including varying physical presentations and repercussions. Now, in a special journal issue, 36 researchers offer a comprehensive look at DSD from its molecular etiology to its effect on society as a whole.
Stress hormones underlie Indigenous health gap in Australia James Cook University scientists have made a disturbing finding about some young Indigenous people's biological reaction to stress, but one that could help close the health gap for indigenous people.
The drugs don't work, say back pain researchers Commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, used to treat back pain provide little benefit, but cause side effects, according to new research from The George Institute for Global Health.
Study affirms that cocaine makes users more likely to risk unsafe sex Cocaine use has long been tied anecdotally to higher-than-usual rates of impulsive behavior, including risky sex, but the tie-in has been difficult to study with any scientifically controlled rigor.
	How parenting styles influence our attitudes to marriage Research from Japan has revealed how different parenting styles can affect marriage rates and desired number of children.
	Current UK salt reduction strategies do not address health inequalities New research conducted by the University of Liverpool in partnership with the universities of Gdansk and Manchester shows that current salt reduction strategy in England has failed to reduce existing inequalities in salt consumption, cardiovascular disease, and gastric cancer burdens.
	Blood test that detects changes in tumor DNA predicts survival of women with advanced breast cancer Results of a multicenter study of 129 women with advanced breast cancer show that a blood test that spots cancer-linked DNA correctly predicted that most of those patients with higher levels of the tumor markers died significantly earlier than those with lower levels.
Online scrutiny is stressful for doctors Online ratings and discussions about the quality of care American doctors provide can add to their stress levels. Patients, on the other hand, feel that such information empowers them to make better informed health-related choices. This is according to a study¹ in the Journal of General Internal Medicine², published by Springer. Led by Alison Holliday of Harvard Medical School in the US, the study highlights how important it is to monitor the impact of independent and health system physician rating websites on both physicians and patients.
	Children, parents over-report leukemia treatment adherence New research suggests that young patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)—the most common type of pediatric cancer—and their and their parents are likely to report to their physician that they took more of their anti-cancer medication than they actually did.
	Nixing the cells that nix immune response against cancer Some cells excite the immune system. Others soothe it. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are one type of soothing cell, and previous work shows that cancer may specifically boost production of MDSCs as a way to tamp down immune response against tumors. At least that's how it works in mice. Now a University of Colorado Cancer Center study published in the journal Cancer Immunology & Immunotherapy for the first time characterizes the uptick of these cells in the spleens of human cancer patients, paving the way for therapies directed against these suppressor cells that collude with cancer.
Lung cancer screening rates remain very low among current and former smokers Lung cancer screening rates remained very low and unchanged among eligible populations in 2015, despite recommendations that high risk current and former smokers be screened. The study by American Cancer Society investigators appears in JAMA Oncology. The authors say it underscores the need to educate clinicians and those at risk about lung cancer screening.
Growth factor shown to protect the retina in early stage diabetes Researchers from the Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear have shown that a slight increase in transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), which is present in preclinical animal models with diabetic eye disease, protects retinal blood vessels from damage that commonly occurs in the early stages of the disease (known as diabetic retinopathy). Their findings, published online today in the American Journal of Pathology, may lead to targeted therapeutics that delay or prevent the development of the disease in patients.
Large increase in eye injuries linked to laundry detergent pods among young children Between 2012 and 2015, the number of chemical burns to the eye associated with laundry detergent pods increased more than 30-fold among preschool-aged children in the U.S., according to a study published online by JAMA Ophthalmology.
Evaluating a minimally disruptive treatment protocol for frontal sinus fractures A new article published online by JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery describes the experience with a minimally disruptive treatment protocol for frontal sinus fractures.
Under and misuse of hormone therapy decreasing, but still high A nationwide cancer registry of almost one million patients treated for hormone-sensitive breast cancer shows that one out of six women who should have received post-surgical treatment known as adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) did not get this recommended component of care.
	Majority of Americans say benefits of childhood vaccines outweigh risks Despite debate about the safety of childhood vaccines among some groups in the public, an overwhelming majority of Americans (82%) support requiring children attending public school to be vaccinated for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), according to a new Pew Research Center survey. Some 73% of Americans see high preventive health benefits from the MMR vaccine and 66% believe there is a low risk of side effects from the vaccine. Overall, 88% believe that the benefits of the MMR inoculation outweigh the risks.
	'In vivo' reprogramming induces signs of telomere rejuvenation During the 'in vivo' reprogramming process, cellular telomeres are extended due to an increase in endogenous telomerase. This is the main conclusion of a paper published in Stem Cell Reports by a team from the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO). Their observations show, for the first time, that the reprogramming of living tissue results in telomerase activation and telomere elongation; thus reversing one of the hallmarks of aging: 'the presence of short telomeres'.
	So-called 'synthetic marijuana' linked to serious health problems Synthetic marijuana compounds are marketed as safe, legal alternatives to marijuana that cannot be detected by standard drug testing, but these substances differ chemically from marijuana; are linked to dangerous side effects, including seizures, psychosis, dependence, and death; and are not safe substitutes, say University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) scientists in a Review published February 2 in Trends in Pharmacological Sciences.
	Medical marijuana's underexplored potential for helping opioid addiction A small human pilot study, along with a number of animal studies, are revealing that cannabinoids, extracts of cannabis legally sold as medical marijuana, could reduce cravings and ease withdrawal symptoms in heroin users. In light of the U.S. opioid epidemic, this is a neglected area of research that quickly needs attention, argues neurobiologist Yasmin Hurd of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, who studies how both cannabinoids and opioids act on the brain. She discusses her position in a short review published February 2 in Trends in Neurosciences.
	Association between autoimmune disease and bone marrow disorders Mayo Clinic researchers have found that azathioprine, a drug commonly used to treat autoimmune disease, may increase the risk of myeloid neoplasms. Myeloid neoplasms include a spectrum of potentially life-threatening bone marrow disorders, such as myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia. The results are published in JAMA Oncology.
Online video blogs (a.k.a. vlogs) as tools for patient engagement: Is seeing engaging? Online patient video journals or blogs—called vlogs—chronicling the good, the bad and the ugly of a specific medical condition can help both physicians and their patients, says Regenstrief Institute and Indiana University Center for Health Services and Outcomes Research investigator Joy L. Lee, PhD, corresponding author of "Seeing is Engaging: Vlogs as a Tool for Patient Engagement," a commentary published online ahead of print in the peer-reviewed journal The Patient.
	Toxic liver effects of fifteen drugs predicted using computational approach A team of researchers has used a computational modeling approach to analyze and compare the toxic effects of fifteen different drugs on the liver, according to a study in PLOS Computational Biology.
	New scoring system predicts Ebola severity While Ebola virus disease (EVD) is notorious for being one of the world's most deadly infections, it actually has a wide range of outcomes, where asymptomatic presentation may be as common as fatality. Now, researchers have developed a new scale, described in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, which can help predict which patients are most at risk of dying from EVD.
Preterm delivery linked to greater risk of cardiovascular disease later in life Previous studies have shown preterm delivery to be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, but it is unknown whether this risk remains after adjusting for a woman's pre-pregnancy lifestyle and risk factors of CVD. In a new study led by Brigham and Women's Hospital, investigators have found that women who have delivered prematurely before 37 weeks have a 40 percent increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease when compared to women who delivered their babies after 37 weeks. Women who delivered earlier, before 32 weeks, had double the risk of CVD.
Pregnancy and heart disease research highlighted in special women's-focus journal issue Experiencing multiple pregnancies increases a woman's risk of developing atrial fibrillation later in life, according to new research in the American Heart Association's journal Circulation, which includes the inaugural Go Red for Women issue.
Skin sodium content linked to heart problems in patients with kidney disease New research may provide insights concerning the cause of changes in the heart's structure that often occur in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The findings, which appear in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN), suggest that treatments targeting skin sodium may help protect CKD patients' heart health.
	Zika virus blindfolds immune alarm cells Gatekeeper immune cells are fighting Zika virus with an arm tied behind their backs, scientists from Emory Vaccine Center report.
Model assesses interventions for bovine tuberculosis in Morocco n many developing countries, a significant fraction of the tuberculosis burden comes potentially from the tuberculosis bacteria carried by animals, essentially cattle. Efforts to reduce the tuberculosis burden, therefore, must include strategies to reduce incidence of the bacteria in animals using "One Health" approach. Researchers reporting in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases have used a disease modeling approach to analyze the cost and effectiveness of interventions aimed at bovine tuberculosis among cattle in Morocco.
	Scaled-up malaria control efforts breed insecticide resistance in mosquitoes A genetic analysis of mosquito populations in Africa shows that recent successes in controlling malaria through treated bednets has led to widespread insecticide resistance in mosquitoes, according to a study led by Charles Wondji of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, with Kayla Barnes, Gareth Weedall and colleagues in PLOS Genetics.
	Volunteering eases veterans' transition to civilian life Veterans could better transition to civilian life by volunteering with civic service programs in their communities, Saint Louis University research suggests.
	The best treatment for laryngeal cancer? This approach helps decide Even as treatment options for laryngeal cancer seemed to improve, survival rates did not. For the most advanced patients, 50 percent survival was the norm, whether patients had surgery to totally remove the voice box or alternative treatment with chemotherapy and radiation to try to avoid surgery.
	To lose weight, and keep it off, be prepared to navigate interpersonal challenges A new study from North Carolina State University highlights an unexpected challenge for those who have made a new year's resolution to lose weight: the people around you may consciously or subconsciously sabotage your efforts. The study also uncovered strategies that people use to navigate interpersonal challenges related to losing weight and keeping it off.
Political affiliation can predict how people will react to false information about threats How liberal or conservative a person is predicts how likely they are to believe information about potential hazards, a new UCLA-led study has found.
	New skin-graft system a better fix for chronic wounds According to the National Institutes of Health, more than six million cases of chronic wounds cost $20 billion each year in the United States. Diabetic ulcers, pressure sores, surgical site wounds and traumatic injuries to high-risk patients account for most wounds that won't heal. However, data from a University of Missouri School of Medicine study indicates that a recently developed skin-graft harvesting system aids in chronic wound recovery and reduces care costs by accelerating the healing process.
	Do weekend deliveries pose risks for moms? (HealthDay)—New research suggests that for pregnant women, a weekend delivery could mean a slightly increased risk of complications, including maternal death.
	Flu shot may curb respiratory infections in people with heart failure (HealthDay)—Flu and pneumonia vaccines may reduce heart failure patients' risk of dangerous respiratory infections, a new review suggests.
	Eating disorders rampant on the runway (HealthDay)—As the fashion industry gears up for New York Fashion Week next week, new research suggests that eating disorders are rampant on the runway.
	Surgery can benefit T2DM control for patients with lumbar stenosis (HealthDay)—Successful lumbar surgery is associated with improved glycemic control for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM-2), according to a study published in the February issue of The Spine Journal.
	Recommendations updated for diagnosis, management of COPD (HealthDay)—Recommendations have been updated for diagnosis, management, and prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to the Global Initiative for the Diagnosis, Management and Prevention of Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) report published online Jan. 27 in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
	Patient infected with HIV despite long-term adherence to PrEP (HealthDay)—In a letter to the editor published in the Feb. 2 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, authors present the case of a Canadian man infected with HIV despite long-term adherence to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
	High CVD risk in patients with head, neck squamous cell cancer (HealthDay)—Twenty-three percent of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) have cardiovascular disease (CVD) at diagnosis, and 24 percent have uncontrolled blood pressure, according to research published online Dec. 29 in Head & Neck.
	Gout linked to increased hip fracture risk in women (HealthDay)—For women, a history of gout is associated with increased risk of hip fracture, according to a study published online Jan. 28 in Arthritis & Rheumatology.
Scientists illuminate role of staph toxins in bacterial sepsis Staphylococcus epidermidis bacteria are a significant health concern for hospitalized infants, children and anyone with implanted medical devices. The bacteria—typically skin dwellers—can infect the bloodstream and cause a life-threatening condition known as sepsis. Between 1 and 3 million people a year in the United States are diagnosed with sepsis, and between 15 and 30 percent of them die. Severe bacterial sepsis is characterized by an extreme immune response, inflammation, reduced blood flow, clotting, and organ failure. Methicillin-resistant strains of S. epidermidis (MRSE) cause most sepsis cases. Notably, methicillin resistance rates in S. epidermidis exceed those in the more-familiar S. aureus (MRSA), and methicillin resistance makes MRSE infections difficult to treat.
Brazil: 90 pct of most at-risk for yellow fever vaccinated Ninety percent of people living in the areas most affected by a yellow fever outbreak in Brazil have been vaccinated, authorities said Thursday.
Nonmedical use of prescription drugs among young people: A growing global concern Balancing a country's need to make prescription drugs available to those in need while simultaneously curbing nonmedical use is one of our greatest challenges, according to a perspective article just published by Silvia Martins, MD, PhD, associate professor of Epidemiology at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health and a colleague at American University of Beirut. The article published in World Psychiatry, the journal of the World Psychiatric Association, cites research finding increased rates of deaths worldwide from prescription opioids as high as 550 percent depending on country and time-period. For example, from 2000 to 2014, there was a 200 percent increase in overdose deaths due to opioid use.
	Repeal of health law could mean women pay more for less From a return to higher premiums based on gender, to gaps in coverage for birth control and breast pumps, experts say women could end up paying more for less if the Obama-era health care law is repealed.
Frequently asked questions about heart disease As American Heart Month kicks off, doctors at Baylor College of Medicine have answers to some commonly asked questions to help jump starting your path to a healthy heart.
Researchers outline new policies for earlier detection of autism in children The earlier that autism is diagnosed and treated in children, the better outcomes they will experience for future relationships and careers. However, most children aren't detected and diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) until around age four, with children from economically disadvantaged or minority backgrounds detected and diagnosed up to two years later, on average. For all autistic children to get the care they need, researchers as well as the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that children be universally screened for ASD at 18 months and again at 24 months, among other strategies.
	Scientists utilise innovative neuroimaging approach to unravel complex brain networks A research team led by Professor Ed X. Wu of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of Hong Kong has used an innovative neuroimaging tool to interrogate the complex brain networks and functions.
	Unraveling the mechanism of antisense oligonucleotides Stanley T. Crooke, MD, PhD, CEO of Ionis Pharmaceuticals and recipient of the 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Oligonucleotide Therapeutic Society presents a detailed look at the mechanisms that underlie antisense drug activity in the article entitled "Molecular Mechanisms of Antisense Oligonucleotides," published in Nucleic Acid Therapeutics.
Startup commercializes software to improve quality of care for pediatric patients Two members of the Indiana University School of Medicine have launched a startup to commercialize software targeting improvement in pediatric patient care.

Biology news

	Predator threat boosts friendships among guppies Danger from predators causes animals to form stronger friendships, according to new research.
	Bird lovers help scientists discover secrets of beak evolution Citizen scientists and bird lovers across the world have helped researchers at the University of Sheffield and the University of South Florida uncover new secrets about the evolution of bird's beaks over time in a ground-breaking study published today in the journal Nature.
	Fussy ants found to improve chances of finding better new nesting sites (Phys.org)—A team of researchers with the University of Bristol has found that differences in behavioral traits among ants help when it comes to finding a new nest—at least with rock ants. In their paper published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the team describes their study of ant behavior in artificial nests, the differences in behavior they found and how they appeared to help them establish a new nest.
	Fish found to communicate with one another using urine (Phys.org)—A trio of researchers with the University of Bern in Switzerland has found that at least one species of fish communicates with others of its kind using chemicals in its urine. In their paper published in the journal Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, the team outlines experiments they conducted with a cichlid fish and what they discovered.
Researchers engineer new thyroid cells Researchers have discovered a new efficient way to generate thyroid cells, known as thyrocytes, using genetically modified embryonic stem cells.
	World's tiniest hammer helps researchers see what happens when force is applied to brain cells We're all pretty familiar with what happens when we sustain a knock on the head: First, the all-too-audible crack, accompanied perhaps by a moment of surprise. Then, the swelling and, if we're lucky, just a minor bump or scrape.
	Protein chaperone takes its job seriously For proteins, this would be the equivalent of the red-carpet treatment: each protein belonging to the complex machinery of ribosomes—components of the cell that produce proteins—has its own chaperone to guide it to the right place at the right time and protect it from harm.
	Mexico's vaquita porpoise close to extinction, 30 left Mexico's vaquita marina is edging closer to extinction as scientists warned Wednesday that only 30 were left despite navy efforts to intercept illegal fishing nets killing the world's smallest porpoise.
	Research shows importance of remote cameras as biodiversity tools University of Montana doctoral candidate Robin Steenweg shows how remote cameras can transform monitoring wildlife and habitat biodiversity worldwide in a paper published Feb. 1 in the journal Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment.
	The good, the bad and the ugly—the many roles of mushrooms A new review that investigates the true magic of mushrooms and the many roles they play in our lives, in science and in nature has been published by scientists from the University of Bristol.
	Habitat destruction, pollution and climate change are driving global declines in marine biodiversity Intensifying pressures from fisheries, habitat destruction, pollution and climate change are driving global declines in marine biodiversity.
How breaks in DNA are repaired A team of researchers from the biology department at TU Darmstadt has discovered that the processes for repairing DNA damage are far more complex than previously assumed. The ends of breaks in the double helix are not just joined, they are first changed in a meticulously choreographed process so that the original genetic information can be restored. The results have now been published in the research journal Molecular Cell.
	A scientific team describes a new molecular mechanism to fight bacterial infections An international team led by the University if Barcelona has identified a new antibacterial mechanism that protects macrophages from infection by the bacteria Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, a pathogen associated with several gastrointestinal diseases. This discovery, carried out with mice and published in the journal Cell Reports, is led by Professor Annabel Valledor, from the Faculty of Biology of the University of Barcelona, and could open new exploration channels for pharmacological treatments of some bacterial infections.
	Discovered: Possible new species of hammerhead shark Scientists have discovered what they believe to be a new species of hammerhead shark, prompting concerns about the species' vulnerability and whether conservation practices in place today are widespread enough to protect them.
	King of the zoo: liger cub Tsar is Russian hit His name is fit for a king, and he's being treated like one: Tsar the liger cub, born from an extremely rare lion-tiger romance, is proving a hit for a travelling Russian zoo.
	Four Bengal tigers born in El Salvador animal park Four Bengal tigers have been born in an El Salvador animal park that runs an endangered-species reproduction program, the facility announced Wednesday.
	Thai cops seize record three tonnes of pangolin scales Thai customs police on Thursday unveiled a massive three-tonne cache of seized pangolin scales intended for Asia's lucrative wildlife markets, where feverish demand for the 'scaly anteater' has turned it into the most trafficked mammal on earth.
	Air purification via plants and trees In addition to improving the ambiance in buildings, plants also purify the air. But how does this work, and which conditions are best for this filtering? Three scientists from Wageningen University & Research discuss the potential of plants as air purifiers.
	Invasive wild pigs leave a growing swath of destruction across U.S. They go by many names: wild boar, wild hog, razorback, Eurasian boar, feral swine. But whatever you call them, invasive wild pigs (Sus scrofa) are wreaking environmental havoc and spreading rapidly.
	Shore birds, crocodiles and rare mangroves to be protected by new Ramsar Site in Myanmar The designation of Meinmahala Kyun as a Wetland of International Importance protects the last wildlife refuge in the Irrawaddy delta, which once supported the largest area of estuary mangroves in mainland Southeast Asia
	Italy bows to howls over anti-wolf campaign Italy on Thursday put on hold a controversial plan to cull five percent of its wolves, much to the relief of environmentalists and animal lovers who had mobilised across the country.

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