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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for October 13, 2017:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
Astronomy & Space news
 | Extreme methane rainstorms appear to have a key role in shaping Titan's icy surfaceTitan, the largest of Saturn's more than 60 moons, has surprisingly intense rainstorms, according to research by a team of UCLA planetary scientists and geologists. Although the storms are relatively rare—they occur less than once per Titan year, which is 29 and a half Earth years—they occur much more frequently than the scientists expected. |
 | Astronomers find potential solution into how planets formThe quest to discover how planets found in the far reaches of the universe are born has taken a new, crucial twist. |
 | On the generation of solar spicules and Alfvenic wavesCombining computer observations and simulations, a new model shows that the presence of neutrals in the gas facilitates the magnetic fields to penetrate through the surface of the Sun producing the spicules. In this study, led by an astrophysicist who studied at the University of La Laguna, participated the Swedish Solar Telescope of the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory in La Palma. |
Russia launches European satellite to monitor Earth's atmosphereRussia on Friday launched a European satellite dedicated to monitoring the Earth's atmosphere, the protective layer that shields the planet from the sun's radiation, live footage from the cosmodrome showed. | |
 | First light for the PEPSI polarimetersThanks to a cleverly designed "two-in-one" instrument attached to the world's most powerful telescope, astronomers can extract more clues about the properties of distant stars or exoplanets than previously possible. |
 | Image: Asteroid LucaESA astronaut Luca Parmitano has been on Earth since his mission to the International Space Station in 2013, but "Lucaparmitano" is now back in space thanks to an Italian astronomer. |
 | Space radiation won't stop NASA's human explorationWhile it's true that space radiation is one of the biggest challenges for a human journey to Mars, it's also true that NASA is developing technologies and countermeasures to ensure a safe and successful journey to the red planet. |
 | A gamma ray burst observed in unprecedented detailA study which is published in Nature magazine with observations from the robotic telescope MASTER-IAC at the Teide Observatory will help to clear up some unknown factors in the initial phase and the evolution of the huge jets of matter and energy which form as a consequence of these explosions, which are the most powerful in the universe. |
 | How scientists used NASA data to predict the corona of the Aug. 21 Total Solar EclipseWhen the total solar eclipse swept across the United States on Aug. 21, 2017, NASA satellites captured a diverse set of images from space. But days before the eclipse, some NASA satellites also enabled scientists to predict what the corona—the Sun's outer atmosphere—would look like during the eclipse, from the ground. In addition to offering a case study to test our predictive abilities, the predictions also enabled some eclipse scientists to choose their study targets in advance. |
 | NASA sounding rocket instrument spots signatures of long-sought small solar flaresLike most solar sounding rockets, the second flight of the FOXSI instrument - short for Focusing Optics X-ray Solar Imager - lasted 15 minutes, with just six minutes of data collection. But in that short time, the cutting-edge instrument found the best evidence to date of a phenomenon scientists have been seeking for years: signatures of tiny solar flares that could help explain the mysterious extreme heating of the Sun's outer atmosphere. |
 | Image: Dream Chaser at dawnDawn brings the sight of Dream Chaser, Sierra Nevada Corporation's reusable spacecraft, as it sits on the runway at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center (AFRC). |
Technology news
 | Machine learning: Experiment, learn, enjoy(Tech Xplore)—Now anyone can inch up close to machine learning. It's teachable in the form of an AI experiment "made with some friends from Google." |
 | Researchers engineered a cloud-based system to improve comfort, productivity and energy efficiencyNo matter the season, thermostat wars rage in offices worldwide. Workers bicker over the temperature, alternately complaining that it's too hot or too cold. Thankfully, Concordia researchers may have developed a solution. |
 | Head of Samsung's booming semiconductor business to resignThe chairman of Samsung Electronics Co.'s board of directors, who has been the public face of the company after its de facto chief was jailed on corruption charges, said Friday he will resign next year to make way for a new leader. |
 | Battle of the online sex crimes in high-tech S. KoreaTony Kim has been paid to watch porn for the last six years, spending his days staring attentively at graphic videos of naked women and sexual liaisons. |
 | Tesla recalls Model X vehicles for seat fixTesla on Thursday said that it is recalling Model X sport utility vehicles to fix second-row seat-backs which might shift forward during crashes. |
 | Toshiba, Bain executives join in push for memory-chips saleAt Toshiba's flash-memory chip plant in Yokkaichi, the orderly quiet of the clean room, with its metal boxes zipping around on overhead rails, contrasts sharply with the messy feud between its owners over plans to sell this prized asset. |
 | Bayer sells crop science units to ease Monsanto takeoverGermany's Bayer said Friday it would sell parts of its agrichemical business to rival BASF, kick-starting a competitor in the seeds market even as it clears the way for its mammoth takeover of US-based Monsanto. |
 | Uber files appeal against London banUber on Friday filed its appeal against a decision by London authorities not to renew its licence, the US ride-hailing company said. |
 | Don't ignore the mobility scooter—it may just be the future of transportNationals senator John Williams wants to limit the speed of mobility scooters. |
 | Computers will soon be able to fix themselves – are IT departments for the chop?Robots and AI are replacing workers at an alarming rate, from simple manual tasks to making complex legal decisions and medical diagnoses. But the AI itself, and indeed most software, is still largely programmed by humans. |
 | Internet researchers harness the power of algorithms to find hate speechDuring the municipal elections in spring 2017, a group of researchers and practitioners specialising in computer science, media and communication implemented a hate speech identification campaign with the help of an algorithm based on machine learning. |
 | Augmented tongue ultrasound for speech therapyA team of researchers in the GIPSA-Lab (CNRS/Université Grenoble Alpes/Grenoble INP) and at INRIA Grenoble Rhône-Alpes has developed a system that can display the movements of tongues in real time. Captured using an ultrasound probe placed under the jaw, these movements are processed by a machine-learning algorithm that controls an "articulatory talking head." As well as the face and lips, this avatar shows the tongue, palate and teeth, which are usually hidden inside the vocal tract. This "visual biofeedback" system, which ought to be easier to understand and therefore should produce better correction of pronunciation, could be used for speech therapy and for learning foreign languages. This work is published in the October 2017 issue of Speech Communication. |
 | Uber drivers in London divided over ban threatSince he was forced to abandon his construction business in Iraq and move to London to escape the advance of the Islamic State group, the US ride-hailing app Uber has become Adam's livelihood. |
 | Researchers create digital objects from incomplete 3-D dataUsing special cameras, it is now possible to capture real objects digitally. Nonetheless, they run into trouble if for example some parts are hidden by others. Computer scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Informatics, together with colleagues from the US semiconductor manufacturer Intel and the Intel Visual Computing Institute at Saarland University, have developed a method that can reconstruct a digital object even from incomplete images. |
 | Facebook beefs up food delivery options from its appFacebook on Friday announced a new feature to make it easier for users to order meals from nearby restaurants and service providers without leaving the social network. |
 | 3-D printing of aircraft parts out of titaniumPhysicists from Tomsk Polytechnic University are currently working to create hydrogen-resistant products out of titanium alloys based on additive manufacturing. The production of metal products using the technology ensures less material consumption as well as possibilities to develop complex geometric products. The project is led by Associate Professor Natalia Pushilina at the Department of General Physics. |
 | Researchers develop 4-in-1 smart utilities plant custom-made for tropical climateA research breakthrough achieved by a team led by Associate Professor Ernest Chua from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at National University of Singapore (NUS) Faculty of Engineering could pave the way for a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective way of producing key essentials for daily living - electricity, water, air-conditioning and heat. This novel system is suitable for housing and building clusters, as well as underground cities, especially those in the tropics. |
 | Austria to sue over Hungary nuclear plant expansionAustria said Friday it would launch a lawsuit against the European Union's approval of the Russian-financed expansion of a nuclear plant in Hungary. |
 | Deterring drones from ballparks and botanical gardensTo study how an outdoor public space might shoo away unwanted drone aircraft, researchers from Duke University are teaming up with the Durham Bulls and the Sarah P. Duke Gardens to develop a set of affordable and aesthetic guidelines for deterring drones. |
Wisconsin board to discuss Foxconn contract in privateWisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's job-creation agency is set to meet behind closed doors next week to continue discussions on a contract with Foxconn Technology Group. | |
Medicine & Health news
 | fMRI scans reveal why pain tolerance goes up during female orgasm and shows brain does not turn off(Medical Xpress)—A team of researchers at Rutgers University has determined why women are able to tolerate more pain during the time leading up to and during orgasm. In their paper published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, the group also showed that the female brain does not shut down just prior to or during orgasm. |
 | Restless legs syndrome study identifies 13 new genetic risk variantsA new study into the genetics underlying restless legs syndrome has identified 13 previously-unknown genetic risk variants, while helping inform potential new treatment options for the condition. |
 | New mechanism detected in Alzheimer's diseaseMcGill University researchers have discovered a cellular mechanism that may contribute to the breakdown of communication between neurons in Alzheimer's disease. |
 | Magic mushrooms may 'reset' the brains of depressed patientsPatients taking psilocybin to treat depression show reduced symptoms weeks after treatment following a 'reset' of their brain activity. |
 | Learning and staying in shape key to longer lifespan, study findsPeople who are overweight cut their life expectancy by two months for every extra kilogramme of weight they carry, research suggests. |
 | Living near a forest keeps your amygdala healthierA study conducted at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development has investigated the relationship between the availability of nature near city dwellers' homes and their brain health. Its findings are relevant for urban planners among others. |
 | Neuroscientists identify genetic changes in microglia in a mouse model of neurodegeneration and Alzheimer's diseaseMicroglia, immune cells that act as the central nervous system's damage sensors, have recently been implicated in Alzheimer's disease. |
 | Early trials show potential for treating hay fever with grass protein fragmentsProtein fragments taken from grass can help protect hay fever patients from allergic reactions to pollen grains. |
 | New study demonstrates importance of studying sleep and eating in tandemA new study from scientists on the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) offers important insights into possible links between sleep and hunger—and the benefits of studying the two in tandem. A related paper from the same lab is providing researchers an accessible tool for pursuing further investigations involving multiple fruit fly behaviors. |
 | Worms reveal secrets of aging: Researchers discover a conserved pathway that controls agingInvestigators at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and University Hospitals Health System have identified a new molecular pathway that controls lifespan and healthspan in worms and mammals. In a Nature Communications study published today, researchers showed that worms with excess levels of certain proteins lived longer and healthier than normal worms. In addition, mice with excess levels of these proteins demonstrated a delay in blood vessel dysfunction associated with aging. The study has major implications for our understanding of aging and age-associated disorders. |
Research reveals possible new treatment pathway for severe allergic asthmaResearch demonstrates that blocking the action of two pro-inflammatory molecules significantly reduces symptoms of allergic asthma in mice, which could lead to development of a new treatment for people with a severe form of the condition. | |
 | Squeeze on UK health gives advanced nurses leading roleSara Dalby never imagined she would one day operate on patients when she started studying nursing. |
 | Nearly 4 in 10 U.S. adults now obese (Update)(HealthDay)—Almost forty percent adults in the United States are now obese, continuing an ever-expanding epidemic of obesity that's expected to lead to sicker Americans and higher health care costs. |
 | With no morphine, 25 million die in pain each year: reportEvery year, some 25 million people—one in ten of them children—die in serious pain that could have been alleviated with morphine at just a few cents per dose, researchers said Friday. |
 | Dance your way to a healthier aging brain(HealthDay)—Dance classes may beat traditional exercise when it comes to improving older adults' balance—and it might enhance brain areas related to memory and learning along the way. |
 | Happier mealtimes, healthier eating for kids(HealthDay)—Parents who struggle to get their children to follow a healthy diet may want to make dinnertime a pleasant experience, new research suggests. |
 | How to talk to someone with cancer(HealthDay)—For people diagnosed with cancer, communication with family members plays a vital role in their health and well-being, according to an expert from San Diego State University. |
 | Virtual planning may help with nasal obstruction surgery(HealthDay)—Otolaryngologists report an overall positive experience with a virtual surgery planning tool for nasal airway obstruction (NAO), according to a study published online Oct. 12 in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery. |
 | Across U.S., wide variation seen in thyroidectomy rates(HealthDay)—There is wide variation in thyroidectomy rates among Medicare beneficiaries nationally, suggesting widely divergent local practice patterns for the management of thyroid nodules and cancer, according to a study published online Oct. 12 in JAMA Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery. |
 | EHRs take up substantial time for ophthalmologists(HealthDay)—A substantial portion of the time that ophthalmologists spend with patients is spent on electronic health record (EHR) use, according to a study published online Oct. 12 in JAMA Ophthalmology. |
 | Knowing how non communicable diseases are caused does not mean we can prevent themEfforts to prevent non communicable diseases (NCDs) are dominated by a simple idea: once you know the causes of a disease you can do effective prevention. So behaviours like eating, consuming alcohol, not taking exercise and smoking have been the centre of policy attention for decades These behaviours, their associated risks, the disease and its prevention are treated as if they are part of the same linear causal chain. |
 | Researchers find mechanism for precise targeting of the immune responseThe immune system checks the health of cells by examining a kind of molecular passport. Sometimes, cells present the wrong passport, which can lead to autoimmune diseases, chronic inflammations or cancer. Scientists of the Goethe University Frankfurt explain the process how this happens in the new issue of the journal Science. |
Study finds N-alpha-acetyltransferase D (NatD) promotes lung cancer progressionResearchers at Nanjing University and their collaborators have found that NatD, which mediates N-alpha-terminal acetylation (Nt-acetylation) of histone H4, promotes lung cancer progression by preventing histone H4 serine phosphorylation to activate the transcription factor Slug, a key regulator of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Their results are published in Nature Communications. | |
Study reveals reciprocal activity of brain proteins necessary for learning and memoryA UCLA team reports that a protein called IDOL targets and prevents overproduction of the synaptic protein ApoER2, an adjustment that allows connections between neurons to change during the learning process for humans and animals. The researchers conclude that reciprocal IDOL/ApoER2 activity in the brain allows synapses to undergo formation and disassembly as learning occurs. | |
 | Most IVF babies now come from frozen embryosFor the first time, more live birth deliveries following IVF treatment are from cycles using frozen embryos, rather than fresh embryos. |
A switch for autoimmunityWhen a virus or bacteria comes calling, protein "sensors" in your cells can detect the invader's DNA and activate inflammatory responses to prevent infection. One such sensor is cGAS (cyclic GMP-AMP synthase). | |
 | Five persistent myths about the causes of breast cancerUnderstanding what causes a type of cancer is vital to prevent more cases in the future. But it can feel like we're being told to avoid a new thing every day because it might cause cancer. A survey in the US found that agreement with the phrase: "It seems like everything causes cancer" is on the increase – even though, thanks to research, we know more about what causes and prevents cancer than ever before. |
 | Adult and teen obesity rates hit all-time high, CDC reportsNew data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) indicate the adult obesity rates in the United States are now a staggering 40 percent while youth obesity rates grew to 20 percent for 12-to-19-year-olds. An all-time high, these rates and the persistent disparities across different race-ethnicity groups further elevate public health concerns about how our nation can prevent and reduce obesity. As the world's leading voluntary organization dedicated to building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke, the American Heart Association is alarmed by the growing impact record high obesity rates contribute to heart and brain health. |
 | Menopause linked to changes in brain energy useResearchers from Weill Cornell Medicine and the University of Arizona Health Sciences have found that women's brains use less energy during the menopause. The reduction in energy use by the brain was found to be similar to that seen in people with Alzheimer's disease in a previous small study. The results of the work were published in the journal PLoS One on 10 October. |
 | Brain tumor treatment for dogs may soon be used in human patientsData from a clinical trial at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech to treat brain tumors in dogs may eventually be used to help humans. |
Gaps persist in Zambia's food fortification system, study suggestsA study led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that most fortified sugar sold at retail outlets in one Zambian community did not contain the minimum amount of vitamin A required by the government. Only 11 percent of sugar tested met the required minimum concentration of vitamin A. | |
 | Blueberries may improve attention in children following double-blind trialPrimary school children could show better attention by consuming flavonoid-rich blueberries, following a study conducted by the University of Reading. |
 | Usutu virus is back – not only in blackbirds but also in humansUsutu virus, a flavivirus of African origin, was first detected in Austria in 2001, when it caused a severe bird die-off, mainly of blackbirds. The virus was active in the eastern part of Austria until 2005, killing many blackbirds, but also other songbirds. During 10 subsequent years no Usutu virus associated bird mortality was observed in Austria – contrary to neighboring Hungary. Last year Usutu virus was identified again in two blackbirds – and in 2017 already in sixteen songbirds. A research team of the Vetmeduni Vienna investigated the virus strains involved. In another study Usutu virus was demonstrated in seven human blood donations from eastern Austria, suggesting that human infections seem to be more frequent than previously thought. Implications for blood services in Europe are discussed. |
 | How hepatitis C hides in the bodyThe Hepatitis C (HCV) virus is a sly enemy to have in one's body. Not only does it manage to make itself invisible to the immune system by breaking down communication between the immune cells, it also builds secret virus "factories" that quickly go into mass production. |
 | Making healthier decisions, step by stepNobody wakes up expecting they'll make unhealthy choices, but the daily grind can compromise our otherwise healthy intentions: fast food instead of a home-cooked meal because we're exhausted; driving instead of walking to the grocery store because it's more convenient. But what if life came with little reminders to make healthy choices? To address that question, researchers from San Diego State University looked at whether a simple sign could encourage airport visitors to take the stairs rather than the escalator. |
 | US obesity problem is not budging, new data showsAmerica's weight problem isn't getting any better, according to new government research. |
Choosing colorful, healthy foodsDear Mayo Clinic: I notice a lot of food products, including cereals, no longer use artificial colors. Is this because food dyes are harmful? | |
 | Researchers confirm transcranial stimulation effects and determine a key mechanismHRL Laboratories researchers have determined how non-invasive transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) could increase performance of associative learning. The researchers found that when applied to the prefrontal cortex, tDCS affects a wide portion of the brain, causing changes in functional connectivity between different brain areas that increased learning speed in macaques. |
Seychelles schools closed over plague fearsThe Seychelles government ordered schools to close Friday, after the discovery of two suspected cases of plague thought to have been brought from Madagascar where the disease has killed scores. | |
 | Study finds surgeries performed later in the day have more complicationsA new study published in Neurosurgery finds that patients who undergo a neurosurgical procedure with surgical start times between 9 pm and 7 am are at an increased risk of developing complications compared to patients with a surgical start time earlier in the day. |
 | Study reveals complex biology, gender differences, in kidney cancerA new study is believed to be the first to describe the unique role of androgens in kidney cancer, and it suggests that a new approach to treatment, targeting the androgen receptor (AR), is worth further investigation. |
 | Women falling short on birth defect prevention(HealthDay)—Only a third of women are taking a multivitamin containing folic acid—a nutrient known to prevent serious birth defects—before they know they're pregnant, a new survey has found. |
 | Texting smarts for adults and kids(HealthDay)—Texting is a quick and easy way to communicate, but it can be a dangerous distraction when you're also doing anything else. Young or old, the human brain simply can't give full attention to several tasks at once. |
 | U.S. Filipinos have higher thyroid cancer mortality(HealthDay)—Filipinos die of thyroid cancer at higher rates than non-Filipino Asian (NFA) and non-Hispanic white (NHW) individuals of similar ages, according to a study published online Sept. 7 in Cancer. |
 | More women choose breast reconstruction after mastectomy(HealthDay)—Over five years, the proportion of U.S. breast cancer patients opting for breast reconstruction after mastectomy grew by about two-thirds, a new government report shows. |
 | New framework guides Tx decisions for atopic dermatitis(HealthDay)—A new framework is available to help clinicians determine when systemic therapy is appropriate for treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD), according to a consensus statement published in the October issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. |
 | Guidelines needed for 6MWT in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis(HealthDay)—The six-minute walk test (6MWT) is increasingly being used for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and guidelines are needed for its implementation in this population, according to a report published online Sept. 21 in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society. |
 | Late gadolinium enhancement linked to prognosis in myocarditis(HealthDay)—For patients with acute myocarditis (AM) with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and for patients with suspected myocarditis, late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) is associated with worse prognosis, according to two studies published online Oct. 9 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. |
 | Freestanding ERs more likely in areas with higher incomes(HealthDay)—Freestanding emergency departments (EDs) tend to be located in areas with significantly higher household incomes, according to a study published in the October issue of Health Affairs. |
 | Increase in growth rate of nurses set to drop to 1.3 percent(HealthDay)—The annual per capita growth rate in the nursing workforce is expected to decrease to 1.3 percent from 2015 to 2030, according to a study published in the October issue of Health Affairs. |
 | Quality issues for both paper-, electronic-based health records(HealthDay)—Both paper-based and electronic health records (EHRs) have shortcomings in terms of quality of content, process, and structure, with poor quality of nursing documentation seen for both methods, according to a study published online Oct. 5 in the Journal of Clinical Nursing. |
 | Liraglutide not tied to higher risk of cardiovascular events(HealthDay)—Liraglutide treatment for weight management is not associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events, according to a study published online Sept. 26 in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism. |
 | Scientists demonstrate path to linking the genome to healthy tissues and diseaseOur genomes help to determine who we are - the countless variations between individuals that encode the complexity of tissues and functions throughout the body. Since scientists first decoded a draft of the human genome more than 15 years ago, many questions have lingered, two of which have been addressed in a major new study co-led by a Princeton University computer scientist: Is it possible, despite the complexity of billions of bits of genetic information and their variations between people, to develop a mechanistic model for how healthy bodies function? Furthermore, can this model be used to understand how certain diseases emerge? |
Successful treatment for advanced stage testicular cancer in down syndrome patientsResearch by Jue Wang, MD, at the University of Arizona Cancer Center at Dignity Health St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center on "Delay in Diagnosis of Testicular Cancer in a Patient with Down Syndrome" was published in the October issue of Journal of Cancer and Therapeutic Science. | |
 | Court considering fate of noneconomic damages cap(HealthDay)—The Wisconsin Supreme Court is considering whether it will hear a case that will determine the fate of the state's $750,000 cap on noneconomic damages, according to an article published by the American Medical Association (AMA). |
 | Plague cases double in Madagascar as treatment center sentWith dozens dead from a plague outbreak in Madagascar, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said Friday it is deploying its first-ever plague treatment center to the island nation. |
 | Researchers find mechanism involved in novel drug design with potential to treat tuberculosisA team of researchers from Instituto de Medicina Molecular (iMM) Lisboa successfully used a new method to chemically modify a protein's components. Their results have potential medical applications and impact in the fight against tuberculosis. |
 | Voices of mental healthResearch by University of Leicester academic Professor Martin Halliwell has broken new ground in deepening our understanding of the history and politics of mental health. |
 | New method creates liver bioscaffolds with intact ECM for reseeding and transplantationResearchers have reported a method for successfully removing the cellular material from whole human livers while retaining the organ's three-dimensional structure and extracellular matrix (ECM) components. They further demonstrated the feasibility of reseeding these liver scaffolds with human cells, providing proof-of-concept for a nondestructive decellularization approach to generating bioengineered liver grafts for transplantation. The study is published in Stem Cells and Development. |
Study identifies genetic clues to spinal stenosisA new study published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Research indicates that certain genetic changes are linked with an increased risk of developing lumbar spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the open spaces in the lower spine that can lead to pain in the legs when individuals walk. | |
Biology news
 | Strange undertakings: Ant queens bury dead to prevent diseaseAnt queens may bury other queens - a task normally performed by workers - to avoid infection when co-founding a new colony, according to a study published in the open access journal BMC Evolutionary Biology. |
 | Model predicts how E. coli bacteria adapt under stressResearchers at the University of California San Diego have developed a genome-scale model that can accurately predict how E. coli bacteria respond to temperature changes and genetic mutations. The work is aimed at providing a comprehensive, systems-level understanding of how cells adapt under environmental stress. The work has applications in precision medicine, where adaptive cell modeling could provide patient-specific treatments for bacterial infections. |
 | Chile penguins win battle in war against mineThey may be less than a meter tall but they have conquered a Goliath: Chile's vulnerable Humboldt penguins have thwarted—for now at least—a billion dollar mining project in one of the country's most depressed regions. |
 | Thousands of penguin chicks starve in AntarcticaMass starvation has wiped out thousands of penguin chicks in Antarctica, with unusually thick sea ice forcing their parents to forage further for food in what conservationists Friday called a "catastrophic breeding failure". |
 | Conservation cutbacks put Brazil's Amazon animals at riskBenedito de Souza scoops back sand hiding a nest of baby giant Amazon River turtles that he had covered over weeks ago to hide from predators. Suddenly exposed, dozens of the tiny reptiles make a run for it. |
 | Scientists uncover a centuries-old case of mistaken identity in the Chesapeake BayJellyfish sting swimmers, clog fishing nets, and in high numbers can close beaches. But despite their nuisance to humans, they play an important role in the marine ecosystem - including in the Chesapeake Bay, where they protect commercially valuable Eastern oysters from predators. |
 | The Atlantic sturgeon's sojournAtlantic sturgeon that summer in Maine's Penobscot River estuary can be found in the fall and winter in waters as far away as Nova Scotia and New York City, according to a seven-year University of Maine study of the fish that is one of the planet's living fossils. |
 | RIP Jeremy the lefty garden snailA 'one in a million' mutant garden snail, who achieved international notoriety after a public appeal was launched to help find him a mate, has died. |
 | Contests for female attention turns males into better performers—in fruit fliesGiving females an opportunity to choose the male they mate with leads to the evolution of better performing males, according to new research into the behaviour of fruit flies performed by University of Sheffield, University of St Andrews and the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research in Berlin, Germany. |
 | Here's why your sustainable tuna is also unsustainableTuna is one of the most ubiquitous seafoods. It can be eaten from a can or as high-end sashimi and in many forms in between. But some species are over-fished and some fishing methods are unsustainable. How do you know which type of tuna you're eating? |
 | Atrazine alters the sex ration in Blanchard's cricket frogsA study published recently in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry found that Blanchard's cricket frogs are highly sensitive to atrazine. When exposed, there were up to 55% fewer males than females compared with the control group, indicating that atrazine can affect the sex ratio. However, cricket frog populations do persist in areas with widespread atrazine application, despite reports of range contractions for enigmatic reasons. |
Giant sea bass have more value as living, breathing undersea wonders than as commercial catchAlmost as large as a Smart car, giant sea bass can weigh more than 500 pounds and grow longer than 6 feet. At this size, they are the largest bony fish found along the California coast. | |
Lead fishing tackle may be threatening loon populationsA new study published in the Journal of Wildlife Management and Wildlife Monographs reveals the devastating effects of lead fishing tackle on loon populations. | |
Livestock grazing management compatible with nesting greater sage-grouseA new study published in the Journal of Wildlife Management looks at whether management of livestock grazing may help protect sagebrush and birds that depend on it. | |
 | Birds gone wild: Resurgent turkeys spar with human neighborsNot everyone is celebrating the return of the wild turkeys. |
 | Dutch researchers construct ecosystem of the futureCan biodiversity provide insurance against the potentially harmful effects of climate change? And do decreases in biodiversity eliminate this insurance? To tackle these burning questions, the Ecology and Biodiversity research group at Utrecht University have established a large experiment to examine the interaction between biodiversity and climate change: The Utrecht University Biodiversity and Climate Variability Experiment, or UU BioCliVE. In the project, researchers from Utrecht University collaborate with the Botanic Gardens, students, and outside contractors. The experiment was launched yesterday with a mini-symposium and an opening by Gerrit van Meer, Dean of the Faculty of Science. |
Video: Towards zero hunger worldwideWhen UNSW's Jes Sammut helped to start a fish farming research project in the remote PNG highlands, the hope was to improve the nutrition of the locals. | |
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