Science X Newsletter Wednesday, Mar 8

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for March 8, 2017:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Self-driving bus tryouts could lead way to efficient feeder system for transport needs

Computer models show possible impact to world's oceans of four major stressors due to climate change

Researchers develop proof of concept for a handheld chemical scanner

GeoVisual Search: Looking for wind turbines or other objects all over the globe

Iota Orionis: Pulsating beacon of a constellation

Research uncovers potential health risks of travel to Mars

Aphrodisiac perfumes likely fake: study

Ancient reptile mystery solved as 2 extinct species found to be the same

Researchers develop organic solar cells with increased transparency and efficiency

Study of woodpecker social groups sparks debate

Discovery rewriting the evolutionary history of the nervous system

Breakthrough discovery may make blood test feasible for detecting cancer

Study shows that inhaling a common manufacturing material could inadvertently injure the brain

Imaging high explosive detonators

Gold nanorods could be used to develop smaller portable mercury sensors

Astronomy & Space news

	Iota Orionis: Pulsating beacon of a constellation Astronomers from the BRITE (BRight Target Explorer) Constellation project and Ritter Observatory have discovered a repeating one-per-cent spike in the light of a very massive star which could change our understanding of such stars. Iota Orionis is a binary star system and is easily visible with the naked eye, being the brightest star in the constellation Orion's sword. Its unique variability, reported in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, was discovered using the world's smallest astronomical space satellites, referred to as "nanosats". "As the first functional nanosatellite astronomy mission, the BRITE-Constellation is at the vanguard of this coming space revolution," said Canadian BRITE-Constellation principal investigator Gregg Wade, of Royal Military College of Canada, Ont.
	Ancient stardust sheds light on the first stars A huge mass of glowing stardust in a galaxy seen shortly after the Universe's formation has been detected by a UCL-led team of astronomers, providing new insights into the birth and explosive deaths of the very first stars.
	Indicators show potatoes can grow on Mars The International Potato Center (CIP) launched a series of experiments to discover if potatoes can grow under Mars atmospheric conditions and thereby prove they are also able to grow in extreme climates on Earth. This Phase Two effort of CIP's proof of concept experiment to grow potatoes in simulated Martian conditions began on February 14, 2016 when a tuber was planted in a specially constructed CubeSat contained environment built by engineers from University of Engineering and Technology (UTEC) in Lima based upon designs and advice provided by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in Ames Research Center (NASA ARC), California. Preliminary results are positive.
	New survey finds 'Peter Pan' radio galaxies that may never grow up A team of astronomers has doubled the number of known young, compact radio galaxies—galaxies powered by newly energized black holes. The improved tally will help astronomers understand the relationship between the size of these radio sources and their age, as well as the nature of the galaxy itself.
	Dawn identifies age of Ceres' brightest area The bright central area of Ceres' Occator Crater, known as Cerealia Facula, is approximately 30 million years younger than the crater in which it lies, according to a new study in the Astronomical Journal. Scientists used data from NASA's Dawn spacecraft to analyze Occator's central dome in detail, concluding that this intriguing bright feature on the dwarf planet is only about 4 million years old—quite recent in terms of geological history.
	Image: Barcelona viewed from the International Space Station ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet is spending six months on the International Space Station on his Proxima mission. In his free time, like many astronauts, he enjoys looking out of the Cupola windows at Earth. This collage was taken on 15 February and shows Barcelona in Spain. Ships entering the harbour and landmarks of Barcelona such as the Olympic village and La Ramblas are visible as you zoom in.
	Image: A mass of viscous flow features on Mars Viscous, lobate flow features are commonly found at the bases of slopes in the mid-latitudes of Mars, and are often associated with gullies.
	Warped meteor showers hit Earth at all angles Some meteor showers persist for weeks and months, even though Earth sweeps a big arc around the Sun during that time. The meteors arrive from a slightly different direction each day, which is a clue to why these showers last so long. In a review of ongoing meteor surveillance projects worldwide, 45 showers are identified that take this motion to extremes, visualized in spectacular animation.
	Mechanism underlying size-sorting of rubble on asteroid Itokawa revealed In 2005, the Hayabusa spacecraft developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) landed on Itokawa, a small near-Earth asteroid named after the famous Japanese rocket scientist Hideo Itokawa. The aim of the unmanned mission was to study the asteroid and collect a sample of material to be returned to Earth for analysis. Contrary to scientific predictions that small asteroids are barren nuggets of rock, photographs taken by the Hayabusa spacecraft revealed that the surface of Itokawa is strewn with different sized particles. Even more puzzling was the lateral separation of small and large particles - with large boulders occupying the highlands and small pebbles occupying the lowlands.

Technology news

	Self-driving bus tryouts could lead way to efficient feeder system for transport needs San Francisco still carries this aura, even after the beatnik era of the last century, of being the place for change, new ideas, quirky concepts and original thinking. It comes as little surprise that this is the locale where self-driving buses are being tested out for eventual use on the open road.
	GeoVisual Search: Looking for wind turbines or other objects all over the globe In discussing Descartes Labs, CNET said "In the short term, the company has been working in agriculture to better monitor crops, feed lots and other data sources."
	Researchers develop organic solar cells with increased transparency and efficiency Researchers developed a semi-transparent organic solar cell that achieves better efficiency and transparency than existing ones, according to a recent study in the Science and Technology of Advanced Materials (STAM).
	Crash test dummies sacrifice lives for car safety Clad in a blue t-shirt and shorts, the average-size "man" is belted into a luxury Tesla Model S for a very short ride with a very abrupt end.
	Australia, Malaysia hope MH370 will be found one day The Australian government minister in charge of the suspended seabed search for the Malaysia Airlines jet told victims' families and friends at an anniversary church service on Wednesday that he remained hopeful that Flight 370 would be found.
	WikiLeaks CIA files: Are they real and are they a risk? WikiLeaks has published thousands of documents that the anti-secrecy organization said were classified files revealing scores of secrets about CIA hacking tools used to break into targeted computers, cellphones and even smart TVs.
	Assistive tech for people with visual impairments to identify scientific images on a computer screen Purdue University researchers are developing software in a "haptic device" that could give people with visual impairments the ability to identify scientific images on a computer screen using their other senses.
	Mechanical engineers help disabled through Braille labels for consumer products Researchers with the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University are making it easier for the visually disabled to read by manufacturing high quality adhesive labels through portable 3-D printers so that Braille can be found on a variety of consumer products. The project, led by assistant professor of instruction Dr. Tanil Ozkan, is unique in not only the benefits it is providing for this specific population, but also in its high-impact instructional approach for undergraduate engineering students, giving them the ability to be actively engaged in research development and distribution.
	Counting microbes on a smartphone An Android application could dramatically change how microbiologists quantify data and how they go about their work.
	New process for manufacturing PV cells means cheaper solar power A major roadblock to the mass use of solar energy are photovoltaic (PV) solar cells. This is because the cost, inefficiency and negative environmental impact that the manufacturing of these cells outweighs any potential savings provided by the resulting solar energy. If, however, cost could be were minimised, then solar power would be more able to compete with traditional fossil fuel-based methods for generating energy.
	WikiLeaks Vault 7 reveals staggering breadth of 'CIA hacking' WikiLeaks today released what it claims is the largest leak of intelligence documents in history. It contains 8,761 documents from the CIA detailing some of its hacking arsenal.
	Seven tips for surviving the apocalypse Billionaires who have made their fortunes in Silicon Valley seem to be worried about the future. So worried in fact, that some of them are reportedly buying vast estates in places such as New Zealand, as "apocalypse insurance". Boltholes to head to in the event of doomsday scenarios such as nuclear attack or global political meltdown.
	The sky is the limit for new low-cost 3-D printer Sliperiet at Umeå Arts Campus is in the process of making a 3-D printed Tower of Babel using a novel hanging printer. This offers a low-cost solution and increased flexibility to print large volumes.
Game-changing heat pipe technology answers global waste problem Brunel University London and Mission Resources limited are developing an innovative low-temperature pyrolysis treatment to convert household waste into fuel to heat water.
Europe-wide raids against suspects in online banking fraud Police in three European countries have raided homes and offices linked to a gang of suspected cyberthieves that targeted online banking customers in Germany.
New technology platform propels the use of 'organs-on-chips' A research team led by scientists from Brigham and Women's Hospital has developed a novel technology platform that enables the continuous and automated monitoring of so-called "organs-on-chips"—tiny devices that incorporate living cells to mimic the biology of bona fide human organs.
Apple, Samsung vow to fix flaws, after CIA hacking report Apple and Samsung vowed Wednesday to quickly fix any vulnerabilities in their products following WikiLeaks' disclosure of an alleged CIA hacking arsenal capable of breaking into iPhones and other devices.
	Researchers to develop new math theory for improvement of imaging technology Researchers at The University of Texas at Arlington are working on a project which could have a sizable impact on imaging technologies, by developing new mathematical theories that can help solve outstanding problems.
	Tech sector scrambles after CIA device-hacking allegations The tech sector was scrambling Wednesday to understand the implications of an alleged broad CIA hacking arsenal, capable of spying on phones and other connected devices.
	What the CIA thinks of your anti-virus program Peppering the 8,000 pages of purported Central Intelligence Agency hacking data released Tuesday by WikiLeaks are reviews of some of the world's most popular anti-virus products.
	Sub-second system seizures: Unexpected consequences of sub-second delays on fast-moving data systems Professor Neil Johnson, a physicist at the University of Miami College of Arts and Sciences, is interested in complex networks. He studies how fast-moving packets of information spread and interact in large networks like stock markets and the human brain, and what makes the overall system then behave in ways that are unexpected.
	Uber self-driving cars are coming back to California roads Uber's self-driving cars will return to California's streets, though the ride-hailing company doesn't immediately plan to pick up passengers.
	Developing tools for reproducibility The concept of reproducibility is vital when it comes to research, as it provides transparency and ensures clarity for findings. However, reproducibility is often difficult because investigators publish only their papers and not the data or other important aspects that support their results. Now, Notre Dame researchers at the Center for Research Computing (CRC) are developing several tools that can be used to save data, analytical methods, and processes so that these elements can be shared among the research community.
Delivery startup Instacart bags new funding Instacart on Wednesday announced it bagged $400 million in fresh funding to ramp up and improve its US-focused grocery delivery service.
	German prosecutors examining WikiLeaks report on CIA base Germany's federal prosecutors say they are examining a WikiLeaks report suggesting that the Central Intelligence Agency used the U.S. consulate in Frankfurt as a base for covert hackers.

Medicine & Health news

	Research uncovers potential health risks of travel to Mars Sending a manned mission to Mars requires more than a powerful launch rocket. Prep work also includes learning how a three-year space flight could affect the human body. With funding from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), researchers at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine and colleagues are using human stem cells to measure the effects of deep space radiation.
	Discovery rewriting the evolutionary history of the nervous system A component of vertebrate neurons – known as the axon initial segment (AIS) – that is responsible for regulating the nerve cell's output has long been thought by scientists to have evolved relatively recently, and specifically in vertebrates, in order to enable rapid, precise signaling in the complex circuitry of the vertebrate nervous system.
	Breakthrough discovery may make blood test feasible for detecting cancer Doctors may soon be able to detect and monitor a patient's cancer with a simple blood test, reducing or eliminating the need for more invasive procedures, according to Purdue University research.
	Study shows that inhaling a common manufacturing material could inadvertently injure the brain Virginia Commonwealth University researchers in a multi-institutional collaboration are uncovering the degree to which inhalation of carbon nanotubes—a novel manufacturing material used to make anything from tennis rackets to spacecraft parts—could unintentionally cause neurological disease.
	Researchers find promising lead that reduces autism symptoms and more Fragile X syndrome is the most common cause of autism. Even though the single gene that's responsible for it was discovered in 1991, and the disease is detected by a simple blood test, there's no treatment or cure.
	A three-dimensional map of the genome Cells face a daunting task. They have to neatly pack a several meter-long thread of genetic material into a nucleus that measures only five micrometers across. This origami creates spatial interactions between genes and their switches, which can affect human health and disease. Now, an international team of scientists has devised a powerful new technique that 'maps' this three-dimensional geography of the entire genome. Their paper is published in Nature.
Perceived weight discrimination linked to physical inactivity People who feel that they have been discriminated against because of their weight are much less likely to be physically active than people who don't perceive that they have suffered any such stigmatisation, according to new research led by UCL.
Researchers identify how inflammation spreads through the brain after injury Researchers have identified a new mechanism by which inflammation can spread throughout the brain after injury. This mechanism may explain the widespread and long-lasting inflammation that occurs after traumatic brain injury, and may play a role in other neurodegenerative diseases.
Nonsurgical treatment for enlarged prostate remains effective for years A minimally invasive treatment that reduces urinary tract symptoms for men with enlarged prostates maintains its effectiveness for at least three years after patients undergo the therapy, according to research being presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology's 2017 Annual Scientific Meeting today. This study of 1,000 men is the largest of its kind to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of prostate artery embolization (PAE).
Artificial intelligence virtual consultant helps deliver better patient care Interventional radiologists at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) are using technology found in self-driving cars to power a machine learning application that helps guide patients' interventional radiology care, according to research presented today at the Society of Interventional Radiology's 2017 Annual Scientific Meeting.
	Antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs linked to increased risk of hip fracture In a recent study, older individuals who had fallen and broken a hip used antidepressant and anti-anxiety medications more frequently than the general older population.
	Study parses influence of genes and environment in metabolic disease By comparing two strains of mice—one that becomes obese and diabetic on a high-fat diet and another resistant to a high-fat regimen—researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania identified genome-wide changes caused by a high-fat diet.
Sound waves boost older adult' memory, deep sleep Gentle sound stimulation—such as the rush of a waterfall—synchronized to the rhythm of brain waves significantly enhanced deep sleep in older adults and improved their ability to recall words, reports a new Northwestern Medicine study.
	Testing for hepatitis C virus remains low among baby boomers A Brief Report appearing in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine looks at testing rates for Hepatitis C virus (HCV) two years after the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended it for all baby boomers, and finds rates are still very low.
	Lung cancer may go undetected in kidney cancer patients Could lung cancer be hiding in kidney cancer patients? Researchers with the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center's Kidney Cancer Program studied patients with metastatic kidney cancer to the lungs and found that 3.5 percent of the group had a primary lung cancer tumor that had gone undiagnosed. This distinction can affect treatment choices and rates of survival.
	Root canal treatments overhauled through new device to detect untreated bacteria A new method of detecting bacteria during root canal treatments could eradicate the need for follow up appointments and prevent treatments from failing, according to a study published today in the Journal of Dental Research. The SafeRoot device, created by a team of researchers at King's College London, enables rapid bacterial detection inside the root canal, ensuring the procedure has been successful and reducing the need for tooth extraction or surgical intervention.
	Component of marijuana may help treat anxiety and substance abuse disorders Cannabidiol, a major component of cannabis or marijuana, appears to have effects on emotion and emotional memory, which could be helpful for treating anxiety-related and substance abuse disorders.
	Young people do not associate e-cigarettes with increased likelihood of smoking New peer-reviewed research published today in Drugs Education Prevention and Policy shows that e-cigarettes are not increasing the likelihood of tobacco consumption and may in fact be contributing to negative perceptions about smoking among young people.
Railway suicides cluster near mental hospitals: study Railway suicides in Austria are suspiciously clustered near psychiatric hospitals, scientists reported Wednesday.
Parental concerns reduce uptake of child flu vaccine The first study investigating parental attitudes towards the UK's child flu vaccine has found concerns about safety and side effects may negatively influence uptake, and recommends that public health messages need to be reinforced.
	1 in 4 U.S. adults disabled by arthritis: CDC (HealthDay)—Arthritis is expanding its grip on Americans, with 24 million adults limited in their everyday activities because of the debilitating joint disease, U.S. health officials say.
	Annual death toll from alzheimer's nearly doubles in 15 years (HealthDay)—Alzheimer's disease claims nearly twice as many American lives annually as it did just 15 years ago, a new report shows.
	Watchful waiting cost-effective for pediatric acute otitis media (HealthDay)—Implementation of the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines of watchful waiting (WW) for acute otitis media (AOM) is cost-effective, according to research published online March 3 in Pediatrics.
	AAAAI: early-life secondhand smoke may up food allergy risk (HealthDay)—Exposure to secondhand smoke in the first few weeks of life could increase the risk that children will develop food allergies, according to research presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, held from March 3 to 6 in Atlanta.
	AAAAI: obese girls appear to be more prone to atopic disease (HealthDay)—Obese girls may face a significantly higher risk for developing allergies, according to research presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, held from March 3 to 6 in Atlanta.
	Anakinra ineffective for reducing symptoms of chronic fatigue (HealthDay)—The anti-inflammatory biologic drug anakinra (Kineret) does not reduce fatigue severity in women with chronic fatigue syndrome, according to a study published online March 7 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
	Five million american seniors now living with alzheimer's (HealthDay)—Alzheimer's disease claims nearly twice as many American lives annually as it did just 15 years ago, according to the 2017 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures report, published March 7 by the Alzheimer's Association.
	Pot for pets: Owners treat sick animals with cannabis Michael Fasman's 12-year-old dog, Hudson, limps from pain caused by arthritis and an amputated toe, but Fasman doesn't want to give her painkillers because "they just knock her out."
Scientists reveal the secret of naked mole rat longevity A group of Russian and German biologists and mathematicians led by profs. Victor Sadovnichii and Vladimir Skulachev (Moscow State University) and prof. Thomas Hildebrandt (Leibniz Institute, Berlin) have published a study in Physiological Reviews in support of a breakthrough hypothesis explaining the exceptional longevity of the naked mole rat (Heterocephalus glaber), an African rodent. According to the hypothesis, these animals had evolved a slow process of individual development resulting in a dramatic increase in the period of youth and a decelerated aging process.
	Despite differences in culture, US and India fall short in childbirth in similar ways After eight years of practicing obstetrics and researching childbirth in the United States, I know as well as anyone that the American maternal health system could be better. Our way of childbirth is the costliest in the world. Our health outcomes, from mortality rates to birth weights, are far, far from the best.
	How 'cannibalism' by breast cancer cells promotes dormancy: A possible clue into cancer recurrence Breast cancer death rates overall have steadily declined since 1989, leading to an increased number of survivors. But while breast cancer survivors are grateful their bodies show no trace of the disease, they still face anxiety. Breast cancer can and does return, sometimes with a vengeance, even after being in remission for several years.
	How to get kids to use salad bars in public schools Thanks to a national initiative, salad bars are showing up in public schools across the country. Now a Brigham Young University researcher is trying to nail down how to get kids to eat from them.
	Treating high-needs patients—some health care practices have the edge Primary health care practices that treat a higher proportion of high-needs patients perform better on a range of spending and utilization measures, say researchers at the University of Michigan.
Global first for rheumatic fever research The first robust evidence that supports community initiatives to prevent acute rheumatic fever has come from researchers at the University of Auckland.
	People's feelings, emotions and actions immediately after sexual activity A new QUT study is looking to lift the covers off people's feelings, emotions and actions immediately after sexual activity.
	Altered lipids, skin infections may point to new personalized therapy for atopic dermatitis Researchers have discovered a new way to identify the lipids, or fats found in the skin of people who have atopic dermatitis, and compare them to people with healthy skin.
	Reversing depression symptoms in mice using probiotics Researchers at the University of Virginia School of Medicine have reversed depression symptoms in mice by feeding them Lactobacillus, a probiotic bacteria found in live cultures yogurt. Further, they have discovered a specific mechanism for how the bacteria affect mood, providing a direct link between the health of the gut microbiome and mental health.
	New genetic links to baldness discovered By the time they turn 50, half of European men have some degree of hair loss. For many, it will begin far earlier than that, and yet male pattern baldness is poorly understood.
	Research finds staying connected a key to beating baby blues Women who maintain connections with their social groups after having a baby are at lower risk of developing postnatal depression, according to University of Queensland research.
	A missing immune response molecule has no ill effects on subjects A coincidence helped A*STAR researchers unravel the function of a little-understood molecule involved in the body's immune defense system.
	Researchers study effects of weather, distance and running on athletes Amid discussions of the possible effects of global warming, University of Mississippi professors have determined that extreme heat can greatly affect players' performance in the world's premiere international soccer competition.
	Researchers develop a new algorithm for analysing brain image data Precise knowledge of the connections in the brain – the links between all the nerve cells – is a prerequisite for better understanding this most complex of organs. Researchers from Heidelberg University have now developed a new algorithm that can extract this connectivity pattern with far greater precision than previously possible from microscopic images of the brain. Prof. Dr Fred Hamprecht expects such automated image data analysis to bring about great strides in the neurosciences. It will likely lead to a circuit diagram of the brain.
	Doctors begin new clinical trial treating cancer with 70p malaria drug Experts from St George's University of London, and St George's Hospital have joined forces to investigate whether a common and cheap malaria drug can be used also against cancer.
Peripartum cardiomyopathy occurs globally and is not a disease of the poor Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) occurs globally and is not a disease of the poor, according to research published today in the European Journal of Heart Failure. Cases were reported from many countries for the first time.
Clinical trial rules should protect patients and results not operational details Rules governing the conduct of clinical trials are failing to produce the intended benefits for patients and should be rewritten through a transparent process that involves academic clinical trialists and patient advocates as well as regulators and industry representatives, according to recommendations published today in European Heart Journal.
	A nose for smells? Practice makes perfect! The human brain has the ability to recognise and process a very wide range of sensory stimuli, from which it builds a mental representation. But do these representations change over time? Can we learn to classify and interpret stimuli more effectively? Neuroscientists at the University of Geneva (UNIGE) have been trying to answer these questions by studying the olfactory system of mammals.
How manure protects against allergies Researchers funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) studied laboratory mice growing up in a cowshed. This enabled them to investigate how the farm environment modifies the immune system and provides protection against allergies.
	Messaging software helps patients follow steps for healing Many patients can recover from major surgery more quickly if they diligently follow recommended practices to aid the body's healing process—but it's difficult for these patients to remember and follow the many instructions they've been given, especially after surgery has left them weary, medicated and in discomfort. To help them recover faster, Rush University Medical Center recently has been providing some surgery patients with a computer app that prompts, monitors, and encourages activities that promote healing.
	Intriguing results in study of the potential health effects of positive thinking Can a positive attitude save your life?
What cancer research can learn from military strategy When David Gisselsson Nord, a cancer researcher at Lund University in Sweden, read a history book last summer, he was struck by the similarities between how cancer and insurgencies evolve over time. Could military strategy be used as inspiration for cancer treatment? He teamed up with Robert Egnell at the Swedish Defence University to find an entirely novel approach to his field.
	Microwave helmet yields fast and safe evaluation of head injuries Results from a clinical study demonstrates that microwave measurements can be used for a rapid detection of intracranial bleeding in traumatic brain injuries. A recently published scientific paper shows that health care professionals get vital information and can quickly decide on appropriate treatment if patients are examined using a microwave helmet.
How much sun is good for health? Spanish researchers have estimated the duration of solar radiation exposure required in order to obtain the recommended doses of vitamin D. While in spring and summer, 10 to 20 minutes in the sun are enough, in the winter months, almost two hours would be needed. Therefore, for the vast majority of the population, it is difficult to achieve the optimal values.
Vitamin C effective in targeting cancer stem cells Vitamin C is up to 10 times more effective at stopping cancer cell growth than pharmaceuticals such as 2-DG, according to scientists in Salford, UK.
	Male breast cancer discovery could improve treatment Two key proteins involved in male breast cancer have been identified by University of Leeds scientists, potentially paving the way for more effective treatments.
	Novel dimensional approach uncovers biomarker for inattention Despite diagnoses for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) occurring in a reported 11 percent of U.S. school-aged kids, clinicians still don't fully understand the underlying causes of this common condition. Now a brain marker may be on the horizon, thanks to a new approach that provides evidence of a relationship between brain structure and dimensional measures of ADHD symptoms. The study's results are reported in an Article in Press in Biological Psychiatry.
	Ultrafast detection of a cancer biomarker enabled by innovative nanobiodevice Like DNA, ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a type of polymeric biomolecule essential for life, playing important roles in gene processing. Short lengths of RNA called microRNA are more stable than longer RNA chains, and are found in common bodily fluids. The level of microRNA in bodily fluids is strongly correlated with the presence and advance of cancer. This means that microRNA can act as an easily accessible biomarker to diagnose cancer, which causes over 14% of deaths annually worldwide.
	High folic acid level in pregnancy may decrease high blood pressure in children A new article published in the American Journal of Hypertension finds that babies born to mothers with cardiometabolic risk factors were less likely to develop high blood pressure if their mothers had higher levels of folate during pregnancy.
Violent video games found not to affect empathy The link between playing violent video games and antisocial behavior, such as increased aggression and decreased empathy, is hotly debated. Researchers in Germany used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) on long-term players of violent video games and found that they had the same neural response to emotionally provocative images as non-gamers. This finding suggests that empathy is not blunted by playing such games long-term.
	Cellular senescence prevented by the SETD8 enzyme An enzyme that blocks cellular senescence and its mechanisms has been discovered by a research team from Kumamoto University, Japan. They found that a reduction of the enzyme SETD8, which regulates cell proliferation and gene function, results in the promotion of cell aging features.
In-home occupational therapy curbs depression in visually impaired patients Johns Hopkins researchers report that in-home occupational therapy appears to reduce the rate and severity of depression in people at higher risk for the disorder because of seriously impaired vision.
	Common cold can be surprisingly dangerous for transplant patients The common cold is a major source of annoyance for most of us, but new research has found that the most prevalent respiratory infection can be far worse than a stuffy nose for one sector of the population—bone marrow transplant patients.
New hope for treating heart failure Heart failure patients who are getting by on existing drug therapies can look forward to a far more effective medicine in the next five years or so, thanks to University of Alberta researchers.
	Controversial 'liberation therapy' fails to treat multiple sclerosis Opening up narrowed veins from the brain and spinal cord is not effective in treating multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a study led by the University of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health.
	For organ transplant recipients, skin diseases and risk factors differ by race It's been long recognized that the immunosuppressant drugs patients are prescribed after an organ transplant come with a fair share of dangerous side effects—including squamous cell carcinoma and other types of skin disease.
	New insights into how inhibitory neurons contribute to functional networks in the cortex It takes a village—of neurons—that is, to process sensory inputs in the brain. For example, when a line appears in our visual field, networks of neurons fire together and send messages throughout the brain to identify that line's color, orientation, movement, and other characteristics. These networks consist of many types of neurons, including some that send excitatory signals, increasing the likelihood of other neurons firing, and some that send inhibitory signals, decreasing the likelihood of other neurons firing.Researchers have observed fine-tuned networks of excitatory neurons that give rise to specific patterns of connections, linking together neurons with similar functional properties. In contrast, inhibitory neurons have been thought to make less specific connections than excitatory ones, synapsing with nearby neurons that exhibit a broad range of functional properties. In March 2017, researchers at Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI) published a study in Neuron that challenges that idea, demonstrating that inhibitory neurons participate in finely-tuned, functionally-specific networks, similarly to excitatory neurons. Researchers suspect that abnormalities in these networks may play a role in a variety of brain disorders, including autism and developmental disorders.
Memorization tool bulks up brain's internal connections, scientists say A time-honored mnemonic method used by memory athletes—people adept at feats such as quickly memorizing the sequence of all the cards in a deck or a vast string of digits—can be taught to people with no prior hint of prodigious memorization skills, according to researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine.
	PH-sensitive binding mechanism key to virulence of H. pylori To thrive and establish chronic infection in the very acidic stomach, the gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori uses a specific protein to attach to the protective pH-neutral mucous lining. New research shows how the BabA adhesin protein has a pH-responsive mechanism allowing H. pylori to rapidly detach from old cells before they reach the brunt of the gastric acid. The release mechanism lets the bacteria return to the pH neutral mucous lining and recycle the infection. The Umeå University-led research findings are published today in Cell Host & Microbe.
Dampened immunity during pregnancy promotes evolution of more virulent flu During pregnancy, a mother's immune system is suppressed to protect the fetus, which is perceived as a foreign body because it is genetically different. A study in mice found that suppressed immunity during pregnancy creates a window of opportunity for the H1N1 influenza virus to infect the mother and to rapidly, within a few days, mutate into a more virulent strain. The findings appear in Cell Host & Microbe on March 8. More research is required to determine if similar viral mutations occur in pregnant humans.
How rare sugars might help control blood glucose In an era when the label "natural" hits a sweet spot with consumers, some uncommon sugars emerging on the market could live up to the connotation. Preliminary animal studies have suggested that allulose and other low-calorie, natural rare sugars could help regulate glucose levels. Now, researchers are investigating how they might exert such effects. They report their findings in ACS' Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.
Decreasing antibiotic use can reduce transmission of multidrug-resistant organisms Reducing antibiotic use in intensive care units by even small amounts can significantly decrease transmission of dangerous multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs), according to new research published online today in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. Researchers developed models to demonstrate the impact of reducing antibiotics by 10% and by 25%, and found corresponding reductions in spread of the deadly bacteria of 11.2 percent and 28.3 percent, respectively.
Diabetes drug shows promise for safely treating, detecting Alzheimer's disease As the number of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) rapidly increases, new treatments as well as blood tests that are simple and can be easily performed in a doctor's office to diagnose are urgently needed.
	New material regrows bone: Procedure could potentially treat patients with injuries to the skull A team of researchers repaired a hole in a mouse's skull by regrowing "quality bone," a breakthrough that could drastically improve the care of people who suffer severe trauma to the skull or face.
	Researchers identify therapy that shrinks tumors in patients with multiple myeloma Mayo Clinic researchers have found that an experimental drug, LCL161, stimulates the immune system, leading to tumor shrinkage in patients affected by multiple myeloma. The findings are published in Nature Medicine.
Chinese famine data shows no long-term health effects except for schizophrenia A new systematic re-analysis of all previous studies of long-term health effects of prenatal exposure to the Chinese Famine of 1959-61 by researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health shows no increases in diabetes, high blood pressure and other chronic conditions among famine births except for schizophrenia. The analyzed studies reported that these conditions were more common among famine births compared to control groups born after the famine. In the re-analysis, the Columbia researchers compared outcomes in famine births to control groups combining births from before and after the famine. The findings raise fundamental questions about the design of existing Chinese famine studies.
Researchers show 'profound' racial disparity in Philadelphia gun violence Deaths and injuries from gun violence occur at higher rates in the United States compared to other developed countries. Yet, there has been relatively little public health research aimed at understanding and preventing this important threat to health. In a Viewpoint published this week in JAMA Surgery, researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, argue for more research on firearm injury, including the establishment of a national database on incidents of gun violence. The authors point to recent research showing that in Philadelphia, gun murders and injuries are much more strongly associated with race than neighborhood income levels.
	Studying altruism through virtual reality A computer-based environment developed with the aim to shed light on the origins of altruism: this is the innovative approach used by a research group at SISSA in Trieste, in collaboration with the University of Udine. This new study - recently published in the journal Neuropsychologia - immersed participants in a virtual environment that reproduced a building on fire which they had to evacuate in a hurry, deciding whether to save their lives or interrupt their escape and help rescue an injured person. The results showed that altruistic individuals self-reported to have greater concern for others' wellbeing and had larger right anterior insula (a brain area involved in processing social emotions) compared to non-altruists. These results shed light on the role of compassion in motivating helping behaviour and its brain correlates.
Drug resistance of cancer cells crucially affected expression levels of ABC-transporters How is drug resistance of cancer cells affected by ABC-transporters? A new research paper, published in the open access journal BioDiscovery, looks at the complex relationship between the second generation of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) - Dasatinib (DAS), and the expression of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, ABCB1 and ABCG2, to assess whether these drug transporters might compromise therapeutic effect.
	Consumption of alcohol and marijuana associated with lower GPA in college College students who consume medium-to-high levels of alcohol and marijuana have a consistently lower GPA, according to a study published March 8, 2017 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Shashwath Meda from Hartford Hospital/Institute of Living, USA, and colleagues.
Playing Pokémon Go may help people reach 10,000 daily steps goal Playing the popular smartphone game Pokémon Go may increase people's daily steps, especially among young adults with low physical activity levels or those who are overweight or obese, according to research presented at the American Heart Association's Epidemiology and Prevention / Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health 2017 Scientific Sessions.
By boosting innate immunity, researchers eradicate aggressive prostate cancer in mice Cabozantinib, a drug already used to treat patients with certain types of thyroid or kidney cancer, was able to eradicate invasive prostate cancers in mice by causing tumor cells to secrete factors that entice neutrophils - the first-responders of the immune system - to infiltrate the tumor, where they triggered an immune response that led to tumor clearance.
Telemedicine ambulance may deliver faster stroke care When experiencing a stroke, people who are brought to the hospital in an ambulance with a CT scanner and telemedicine capabilities are evaluated and treated nearly two times faster than people taken in a regular ambulance, according to a study published in the March 8, 2017, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
	Exploring a new complication from an emergent tickborne parasite Babesiosis is a rare - but increasingly common - disease spread by ticks. After a bite from an infected tick, microscopic malaria-like parasites are transmitted into the host where they can infect and destroy red blood cells, causing nonimmune hemolytic anemia.
	Bone-derived hormone suppresses appetite in mice A hormone secreted by bone cells can suppress appetite, according to mouse studies conducted by Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) researchers. The hormone—called lipocalin 2—turns on neurons in the brain that have been previously linked to appetite suppression. The findings reveal a previously unknown mechanism for regulating the body's energy balance and could lead to new targeted therapies for the treatment of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other metabolic disorders.
	Novel compound that engages 'second arm' of immune system reduces breast tumors and metastases For all the success of a new generation of immunotherapies for cancer, they often leave an entire branch of the immune system's disease-fighting forces untapped. Such therapies act on the adaptive immune system, the ranks of specialized cells that mount precision attacks on foreign and diseased cells. The other arm of the immune system, known as innate immunity, may not be merely idle during this battle, but may actually abet tumor growth.
	Physical inactivity and sedentary behaviors associated with cardiometabolic risk factors The results are from the first investigation to be conducted with baseline data from the PREDIMED-PLUS study, an 8-year multicenter clinical trial based on a nutritional intervention involving an energy-restricted Mediterranean diet, the promotion of physical activity and behavioral support for primary cardiovascular prevention. The study is taking place nationwide across Spain and started in October 2013.
Hormone replacement therapy may help improve women's heart health, overall survival Hormone replacement therapy has long been controversial as studies have associated it with health benefits and risks. While some studies suggest that it lowers the risk of osteoporosis and improves some aspects of heart health, others link it to higher risk of cancer and stroke.
	Oral delivery system could make vaccination needle-free Patients could one day self-administer vaccines using a needleless, pill-sized technology that jet-releases a stream of vaccine inside the mouth, according to a proof-of-concept study conducted at UC Berkeley.
	Researchers identify biomarker that predicts death in sepsis patients Duke scientists have discovered a biomarker of the runaway immune response to infection called sepsis that could improve early diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment to save lives.
	Common yeast may worsen IBD symptoms in Crohn's disease During the past decade, the gut has experienced a renaissance as investigations focus on the role of the microbiome on human health. While most studies have focused on bacteria, the dominant microbial inhabitants in the gut, scientists at University of Utah Health Sciences used mouse studies to show the role of yeast in aggravating the symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Their work suggests that allopurinol, a generic drug already on the market, could offer some relief. The results of the study will be published online in March 8 issue of Science Translational Medicine.
	Women at high risk for breast cancer more likely to get MRI when informed directly A study published in the journal Health Communications shows that women at high risk for breast cancer who received a letter informing them of their options for additional imaging with contrast-enhanced MRI of the breast (in addition to a letter sent to their primary care physician) were more likely to return to the center for additional screening with MRI. The letter, which is included in the published paper, may help breast imaging centers navigate the complex legal, ethical and institutional landscapes in a way that increases the likelihood that women will follow through with American Cancer Society breast cancer screening recommendations for adjunct breast screening in women at elevated risk.
	Boosting communication is key in managing menopause A review of previous studies about how women manage menopause symptoms has found that they frequently use alternative treatments but often do not inform their doctors about them.
	University of Miami's Miami project successfully completes SCI clinical trial The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, today announced the publication of its first Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Phase I clinical trial involving human nerve cells used to repair the damaged spinal cord, in the February issue of the Journal of Neurotrauma. The cells, known as Schwann cells, are essential for the repair of nerve damage, and long thought to be able to increase recovery after spinal cord injury. The trial, performed at University of Miami / Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, is the first in a series designed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of transplanting autologous human Schwann cells to treat individuals with spinal cord injuries.
	Molecule shown to repair damaged axons A foray into plant biology led one researcher to discover that a natural molecule can repair axons, the thread-like projections that carry electrical signals between cells. Axonal damage is the major culprit underlying disability in conditions such as spinal cord injury and stroke.
	Researchers find neurological link between religious experiences and epilepsy A relationship between epilepsy and heightened religious experiences has been recognized since at least the 19th century. In a recent study, researchers from the University of Missouri found a neurological relationship exists between religiosity— a disposition for spiritual experience and religious activity—and epilepsy. This finding sheds light on the connection between religion and neuropsychological processes within the human brain.
Don't relax drug approval process, experts warn The warming follows a speech to Congress last week by President Trump in which he said the US Food and Drug Administration's drug approval process was "too slow and burdensome," and where he promised to "slash the restraints, not just at FDA but across our government."
	Researchers observe reduction in sexual violence among high school students University of Kentucky researchers have observed a significant reduction in sexual violence perpetration and victimization among Kentucky high school students, according to a recently published study on the "Green Dot" bystander intervention program..
Cancer-causing benzene found in e-cigarette vapors operated at high power Portland State University scientists have found that significant levels of cancer-causing benzene in e-cigarette vapors can form when the devices are operated at high power.
High prevalence and incidence of hypertension among rural Africans living with HIV Many countries in sub-Saharan Africa are facing an unprecedented epidemic of both infectious and non-communicable diseases. This 'double burden of disease' represents a major strain on already under-resourced health systems. Hypertension, in particular, is an independent, reversible risk factor for cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and renal disease, affecting mortality. Yet, the disease remains largely undiagnosed and undertreated in sub-Saharan Africa.
	'Jumping genes' may set the stage for brain cell death in Alzheimer's, other diseases The latest round of failed drug trials for Alzheimer's has researchers questioning the reigning approach to battling the disease, which focuses on preventing a sticky protein called amyloid from building up in the brain.
Diet and global climate change You are what you eat, as the saying goes, and while good dietary choices boost your own health, they also could improve the health care system and even benefit the planet. Healthier people mean not only less disease but also reduced greenhouse gas emissions from health care.
	Study shows that antioxidants may reduce lung cancer risk An epidemiological study published in Frontiers in Oncology suggests that a diet high in carotenoids and vitamin C may protect against lung cancer. The study authors found that vitamin C appears to reduce the risk of lung cancer in heavy smokers while beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, and lycopene play the same role in male heavy smokers.
Taking misoprostol along with NSAIDs reduces cardiovascular risk People who took the drug misoprostol for stomach ulcers along with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs had a significantly lower risk of serious cardiovascular events, stroke and kidney failure than those who took NSAIDs alone, according to a study scheduled for presentation at the American College of Cardiology's 66th Annual Scientific Session.
Study examines best time to screen for sleep apnea after heart attack Conducting a diagnostic sleep test shortly after a heart attack can help doctors rule out sleep apnea, a form of disordered breathing during sleep, in patients, but tests conducted in the immediate aftermath of a heart attack are somewhat unreliable for positively diagnosing sleep apnea, according to results from a single-center study scheduled for presentation at the American College of Cardiology's 66th Annual Scientific Session. As a result, it may be best to repeat the test after a few months or to delay initial testing before making a definitive diagnosis and initiating treatment.
	Depression doubles risk of death after heart attack, angina Depression is the strongest predictor of death in the first decade following a diagnosis of coronary heart disease, according to a study scheduled for presentation at the American College of Cardiology's 66th Annual Scientific Session. The study found people with coronary heart disease who are diagnosed with depression are about twice as likely to die compared with those who are not diagnosed with depression.
Few smokers receive treatment to help them quit while in the hospital It's never too late to quit smoking. Even after heart surgery, research has shown that quitting smoking reduces the risk of a heart attack, stroke or death. Yet only about one-third of smokers hospitalized for heart attacks and other serious heart problems received proven smoking-cessation therapy while they were in the hospital, according to research scheduled for presentation at the American College of Cardiology's 66th Annual Scientific Session. Moreover, data showed that amid mounting evidence of the dangers of tobacco smoke, use of smoking-cessation treatments only increased by 10 percent in hospitals nationwide over the last decade.
More hospitalizations, deaths for US heart failure patients in winter Patients with heart failure in the United States are more likely to be hospitalized and more likely to die during the colder winter months, according to two studies scheduled for presentation at the American College of Cardiology's 66th Annual Scientific Session. One study also shows the costs per hospitalization for heart failure also increase during winter.
Wrist-worn heart rate monitors less accurate than standard chest strap Researchers at Cleveland Clinic put five popular wrist-worn fitness trackers to the test to find out how accurately they gauge heart rate across several types of exercise and intensity levels. Based on their findings, the old-fashioned chest strap monitor is best, particularly for people who need to keep tabs on how quickly or slowly their heart is beating during activity, according to the study team. The standard chest strap was the most accurate regardless of the intensity of the workout or whether someone was using the treadmill, elliptical or stationery bike. The results are scheduled for presentation at the American College of Cardiology's 66th Annual Scientific Session.
Younger heart attack patients more likely to have low 'good' vs. high 'bad' cholesterol Men under 45 years old and women under 50 years old who suffer a heart attack are far more likely to have abnormally low good cholesterol than elevated bad cholesterol, according to research scheduled for presentation at the American College of Cardiology's 66th Annual Scientific Session.
History of exercise helps prevent heart disease after breast cancer While regular exercise is recommended as part of a heart-healthy lifestyle for any person, it also appears to help mitigate the increased cardiovascular risk faced by women treated for breast cancer, according to a study scheduled for presentation at the American College of Cardiology's 66th Annual Scientific Session.
	In battle for real estate, a disordered protein wins out Research findings that first had scientists scratching their heads have turned out to be "quite revolutionary," according to study leaders at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI).
For some, high blood pressure associated with better survival Patients with both Type 2 diabetes and acute heart failure face a significantly lower risk of death but a higher risk of heart failure-related hospitalizations if they had high systolic blood pressure on discharge from the hospital compared to those with normal blood pressure, according to a study scheduled for presentation at the American College of Cardiology's 66th Annual Scientific Session.
College students' perception of dietary terms could help nutrition education College students represent an important group for nutrition educators, since the transition into adulthood brings increased independence and decision making, which can affect diet and health-related behaviors. Promoting nutritional health among young adults is important. Poor decisions regarding eating may lead to decreased diet quality and increased weight, which may result in long-term health issues. Therefore, researchers from the University of Hawaii and Brigham Young University set out to determine college students' perception of the terms real meal, meal, and snack and how those perceptions might enable more effective nutrition education. The results of this study are published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior.
	Yellow fever in the Americas: Current outbreak warrants close watch The unusually large outbreak of yellow fever now occurring in rural Brazil deserves careful attention by world health authorities, notes Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), one of the National Institutes of Health. Writing in a Perspectives piece for the New England Journal of Medicine, Dr. Fauci and his associate Catharine I. Paules, M.D., note that this latest outbreak of a serious mosquito-borne virus comes as Zika virus, which is spread by the same mosquito as yellow fever virus, continues to affect countries throughout the Americas.
	Alterations in soluble mediators predict transition to SLE (HealthDay)—For unaffected relatives of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, preclinical alterations in levels of soluble mediators may predict transition to disease, according to a study published in the March issue of Arthritis & Rheumatology.
	Behavioral treatment, physical activity aids urinary incontinence (HealthDay)—For frail older women, combining behavioral urinary incontinence (UI) treatments with physical activity may improve UI, according to a study published online March 1 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
	Routine antenatal HIV testing cost-effective (HealthDay)—Routine HIV testing is both cost-effective and cost-saving in antenatal settings, according to a review published online March 2 in the Journal of Clinical Nursing.
	Vildagliptin, metformin have different effects on BP in T2DM (HealthDay)—For patients with type 2 diabetes, vildagliptin lowers blood pressure (BP) and elevates heart rate (HR), while metformin increases HR with no effect on BP during intraduodenal (ID) glucose infusion, according to a study published online March 3 in Diabetes Care.
	Broadly adopted transfusion practice may not benefit patients without traumatic injury A study from investigators at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) finds that a blood transfusion practice previously studied only in patients with severe traumatic injuries has been widely adopted within the hospital for surgical patients without traumatic injuries. Not only has this practice not been shown to benefit non-trauma patients, the MGH study suggests that it may be harmful to some, an observation that indicates the need for more research.
How your neighborhood may impact your health How physically active are you? It might depend, in part, on what type of neighborhood you live in, says Adriana Zuniga-Teran, a postdoctoral research associate in the University of Arizona's Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy.
Newer medications can cure HCV infections A new analysis reveals a dramatic transformation in the care of patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) as more effective and tolerable medications have become available.
Tooth loss linked to an increased risk of dementia In a study of 1566 community-dwelling Japanese elderly who were followed for 5 years, the risk of developing dementia was elevated in individuals with fewer remaining teeth.
Australia grants first cannabis farm licence Australia's first medical marijuana farm received its growers' licence Wednesday, opening up domestic production of the drug for people seeking relief from serious illnesses.
	Facing strong pushback, GOP leaders advance health care bill Over the strong objections of key conservatives and Democrats, House Republican leaders are forging ahead with a health care plan that scraps major parts of the Obama-era overhaul.
Internists say the AHCA will negatively impact patients & reverse coverage The American Health Care Act (AHCA) will have a tremendously negative impact on access, quality and cost of care for patients seen by internal medicine physicians, as compared to current law under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), said the American College of Physicians (ACP) in a letter sent today to congressional leadership.
Pro-pot arguments fly higher with likely voters Four states legalized recreational marijuana in November, nearly doubling the number of states where recreational pot is legal. As more states consider joining them, a range of arguments for and against legalization is swirling around the national conversation.
Trump seeks to rally support for health reform as doubts grow US President Donald Trump's deal-making skills were put to the test in his first major legislative battle Wednesday as Congress hotly debated a health care replacement plan opposed by several members of his own party.
French court orders hospital to continue baby's treatment A French court has ordered a hospital to continue life-prolonging treatment for a baby girl who has been in a medically induced coma for months after suffering what doctors say is "irreversible" neurological damage.
Texas lawmakers push 'fetal remains' bill despite court case Lawmakers in the Texas House have started debating a bill mandating burial or cremation of fetal remains from abortions and miscarriages, even though a federal judge already blocked a state rule requiring the same thing.

Biology news

	Study of woodpecker social groups sparks debate New research from the University of St Andrews has sparked debate about what it takes to live in stable, long-lasting social groups.
	Uncovering new relationships and organizational principles in protein interaction networks Proteins, those basic components of cells and tissues, carry out many biological functions by working with partners in networks. The dynamic nature of these networks - where proteins interact with different partners at different times and in different cellular environments - can present a challenge to scientists who study them. However, researchers at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research have applied a mathematical method to large proteomics data sets to uncover new insight into the organization of complicated and dynamic networks.
	Crocodiles and dolphins evolved similar skulls to catch the same prey, study finds A new study involving biologists from Monash University Australia has found that despite their very different ancestors, dolphins and crocodiles evolved similarly-shaped skulls to feed on similar prey.
	A new tool for genetically engineering the oldest branch of life A new study by G. William Arends Professor of Microbiology at the University of Illinois Bill Metcalf with postdoctoral Fellow Dipti Nayak has documented the use of CRISPR-Cas9 mediated genome editing in the third domain of life, Archaea, for the first time. Their groundbreaking work, reported in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, has the potential to vastly accelerate future studies of these organisms, with implications for research including global climate change. Metcalf and Nayak are members of the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology at Illinois.
	The protective layer of prehistoric land plants An international research team has discovered a biochemical pathway that is responsible for the development of moss cuticles. These waxy coverings of epidermal cells are the outer layer of plants and protect them from water loss. The biologists discovered this mechanism that facilitated the evolutionary transition of plants from fresh water to land in the moss Physcomitrella patens. The team was led by Professor Ralf Reski from the University of Freiburg/Germany and Doctor Danièle Werck-Reichhart from the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) Institute of Plant Molecular Biology (IBMP) in Strasbourg/France and published their results in the journal Nature Communications.
	The proteins that domesticated our genomes EPFL scientists have carried out a genomic and evolutionary study of a large and enigmatic family of human proteins, to demonstrate that it is responsible for harnessing the millions of transposable elements in the human genome. The work reveals the largely species-specific gene-regulatory networks that impact all of human biology, in both health and disease.
	New species concept based on mitochondrial & nuclear DNA coadaptation What is a species? Biologists—and ornithologists in particular—have been debating the best definition for a very long time. A new commentary published in The Auk: Ornithological Advances proposes a novel concept: that species can be defined based on the unique coadaptations between their two genomes, one in the nuclei of their cells and the other in their mitochondria.
New study examines whether dogs are feline-friendly – or not A new study by Christy L. Hoffman, PhD, assistant professor of animal behavior, ecology and conservation (ABEC) at Canisius College, examines whether dogs' responses to cat-related sights, sounds, and smells provide clues about which dogs are cat-friendly. The study takes the first steps in identifying ways to evaluate which dogs are likely to get along with cats, without stressing any cats in the process.
	Caribou appear to keep up with warming Arctic Despite recent changes to the growing season for plants in the Arctic, Alaska, caribou appear to have remained in sync with these changes over the last 30 years.
	Deadly raccoon roundworm can infect humans without symptoms, new study finds A deadly raccoon parasite that can cause severe neurological problems in infected hosts has been popping up in the South, and seven new cases of human infection in the U.S. have been documented in the last two years alone.
	Genetic screening to fight the common childhood virus that causes hand, foot and mouth disease The unavailability of antiviral medicines and vaccines has made outbreaks of hand, food and mouth disease (HFMD) caused by enterovirus 71 (EV71), a serious threat that affects millions worldwide. Now, an A*STAR comprehensive study has identified which human proteins in a cell are hijacked by EV71 and which try to resist its invasion. Clarifying these host-pathogen interactions could reveal new targets for antiviral therapeutics.
	Stem cell reprogramming factor controls change in cellular energy generation University of Tsukuba-led researchers explored the function of the reprogramming factor KLF4 in production of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). KLF4 was shown to bind upstream of the Tcl1 target gene, which controls a metabolic change in energy generation during the acquisition of cellular pluripotency. This helps explain how cells turn back the developmental clock from adult to stem cell, and could be harnessed to improve efficiency or limit genetic damage during iPSC generation.
	Clown tree frogs—newly discovered and already threatened? An international team of scientists discovered two new species of clown tree frogs in the Amazon region. Until recently, these colorful amphibians had erroneously been considered part of another species. Now, DNA studies and an analysis of the calls of the examined populations revealed a much higher diversity within this group of frogs. Due to their small distribution areas, it is likely that the newly discovered species are threatened, but the determination of their protection status is currently still pending. In their study, published today in the scientific journal PloS ONE, the scientists from six countries clearly show that a complete species inventory is only possible by means of international cooperation.
Fish, selective hunting strategies and a delayed-return lifestyle among ancient foragers A unique trove of bone material from the 9,200 year old coastal settlement Norje Sunnansund in Blekinge, Sweden, has revealed that surpisingly sophisticated hunting strategies were used at the time. One key find was that the early Mesolithic humans practiced so-called selective hunting - seemingly in order to maximize gain and preserve the local population of certain species.
	Plants at the pump: Multilab project seeks toughest strains of algae for biofuel production Regular, unleaded or algae? That's a choice drivers could make at the pump one day. But for algal biofuels to compete with petroleum, farming algae has to become less expensive. Toward that goal, Sandia National Laboratories is testing strains of algae for resistance to a host of predators and diseases, and learning to detect when an algae pond is about to crash.
	Atomic resolution of muscle contraction At the molecular level, muscle contraction is defined by myosin molecules pulling actin filaments. New electron cryomicroscopy images with unprecedented resolution taken by researchers at Osaka University reveal unexpectedly large conformational changes in the myosin molecule during the pull. These findings, which can be seen in Nature Communications, provide new insights into how myosin generates force and a paradigm for the construction of nanomachines.
	In-cell NMR: A new application The structure of biological macromolecules is critical to understanding their function, mode of interaction and relationship with their neighbours, and how physiological processes are altered by mutations or changes in the molecular environment.
	Leaf-cutting ants learn to identify unsuitable plants from cues within the colony Leaf-cutting ants can learn which plants are not suitable for the fungus gardens that supply their food before they even leave the colony, according to a study published March 8, 2017 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Andrés Arenas and Flavio Roces from University of Wurzburg, Germany.
	Bird-slaying snakes ravage island forests too: study A non-native snake species that has already wiped out most of Guam's tree-dwelling birds is also decimating the Pacific island's forests, researchers said Wednesday.
	Activists' fury over Norway hunt of pregnant whales Animal rights activists expressed anger on Wednesday after reports emerged that a large majority of whales harpooned each year in Norway are pregnant.
	Zoo rhino killing hints at new European avenue for poachers This week's brutal killing of a rhino in its enclosure at a French zoo points to a new European frontier for greedy poachers that must be closed as a matter of urgency, environmentalists and officials say.

---

This email is a free service of Science X Network
You received this email because you subscribed to our list.
If you no longer want to receive this email use the link below to unsubscribe.
https://sciencex.com/profile/nwletter/
You are subscribed as jmabs1@gmail.com