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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for December 22, 2017:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
Astronomy & Space news
 | How the sun's influence on the remote planet Uranus changes its brightness in the skyChanges in solar activity influence the colour and formation of clouds around the planet, researchers at Oxford and Reading universities found. |
 | Scientists describe how solar system could have formed in bubble around giant starDespite the many impressive discoveries humans have made about the universe, scientists are still unsure about the birth story of our solar system. |
 | Image: Webb Telescope's 'silver and gold decorations'Webb telescope, or Webb, is NASA's upcoming infrared space observatory, which will launch in 2019. The two photos that compose this image highlight two important achievements Webb had in the latter part of 2017. |
 | NASA's next major telescope to see the big picture of the universeNASA is beginning to design its next big astrophysics mission, a space telescope that will provide the largest picture of the universe ever seen with the same depth and clarity as the Hubble Space Telescope. |
 | Arecibo radar returns with asteroid phaethon imagesAfter several months of downtime after Hurricane Maria blew through, the Arecibo Observatory Planetary Radar has returned to normal operation, providing the highest-resolution images to date of near-Earth asteroid 3200 Phaethon during its Dec. 16 flyby of Earth. The radar images, which are subtle at the available resolution, reveal the asteroid is spheroidal in shape and has a large concavity at least several hundred meters in extent near the leading edge, and a conspicuous dark, circular feature near one of the poles. Arecibo's radar images of Phaethon have resolutions as fine as about 250 feet (75 meters) per pixel. |
 | NASA astronaut, first to fly untethered in space, dies at 80NASA astronaut Bruce McCandless, the first person to fly freely and untethered in space, has died. He was 80. |
Video: 2017 in spaceWith 2018 approaching rapidly and 2017 coming to a close, ESA can look back on a fruitful year. | |
Technology news
 | Novel algorithm enables statistical analysis of time series dataWhether it's tracking brain activity in the operating room, seismic vibrations during an earthquake, or biodiversity in a single ecosystem over a million years, measuring the frequency of an occurrence over a period of time is a fundamental data analysis task that yields critical insight in many scientific fields. But when it comes to analyzing these time series data, researchers are limited to looking at pieces of the data at a time to assemble the big picture, instead of being able to look at the big picture all at once. |
 | Next year marked for Magic Leap One Creator EditionMagic Leap has stepped up to announce its three piece AR headset, and this is the Magic Leap One, Creator Edition. |
 | Proof of randomness builds future of digital securityIn an effort to block emerging threats to online security, researchers at Princeton University have developed a method to verify the strength of random number generators that form the basis of most encryption systems. |
 | Russian hackers hunted journalists in years-long campaignRussian television anchor Pavel Lobkov was in the studio getting ready for his show when jarring news flashed across his phone: Some of his most intimate messages had just been published to the web. |
Emphasizing the auto in automobile—a unified approach for automated vehiclesThe idea of driverless cars continues to make headlines across the world, including the recent revelation that researchers drive around wearing car seat costumes to observe how the public interacts with cars that appear driverless. Despite the apparent absurdity of such research techniques, driverless cars are approaching the on-ramp to reality. A team of researchers have proposed an integrated framework to help self-driving cars interact without human intervention. | |
Better control of robotic movements for human safetyResearchers have improved the control of a key robotic component to better ensure the safety of humans. They have published their results in IEEE/CAA Journal of Automatica Sinica (JAS), a joint publication of the IEEE and Chinese Association of Automation. | |
How to improve physical interactions between robots and humansPopular entertainment often portrays robots as the perfect best friend, from Bender in the cartoon Futurama to the mighty Transformers. These close friendships don't exist off-screen yet, but humans and robots are getting to know each other better in real life. | |
Scientists teach robots how to respect humans' personal spaceRobots have a lot to learn about humans, including how to respect their personal space. Scientists at the Institute of Automatics of the National University of San Juan in Argentina are giving mobile robots a crash course in avoiding collisions with humans. | |
Scientists develop method to track human movements more accuratelyScientists have developed a data-driven method to better detect and track human movements for use in technologies such as at-home personal training videos or monitoring at-risk elderly patients. | |
Stabilization of a wheeled inverted pendulum assistant robotRosie, the housekeeper from The Jetsons, has been the archetypal representative of helper robots since she wheeled onto televisions screens in the early 1960s. While Rosie vacuumed and washed dishes without a hint of incoordination, it turns out that a real-world counterpart would be far more likely to tip over. | |
 | Toshiba unveils device for Fukushima nuclear reactor probeToshiba Corp.'s energy systems unit has unveiled a long telescopic pipe carrying a pan-tilt camera designed for an internal probe of one of damaged reactor chambers at Japan's tsunami-wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant. |
 | Hitching the wagon to bitcoin and hoping for the bestWhat's in a name? These days, if it's anything close to "bitcoin," it's Wall Street gold. |
 | Here's what bike-sharing programs need to succeedBike sharing has become a buzzword in cities from Cape Town to Shanghai to Melbourne. Planners, politicians and media pundits keep touting their benefits: reducing pollution, congestion, travel costs and oil dependence, while improving public health. Bike sharing also helps make cities appear hip, vibrant and cosmopolitan – qualities much sought after by the creative class. |
 | Better ways to foster solar innovation and save jobsThe U.S. solar industry is nervously awaiting President Donald Trump's decision whether to impose punitive duties on imported solar panels and related equipment or even restrict some of those imports altogether. It could come any day between now and late January. |
Baidu accuses former exec of stealing self-driving car technologyChina's largest search engine Baidu is suing a former executive, accusing him of stealing self-driving car technology, reports said Friday, as competition in the sector heats up. | |
 | Are you a 'cyberloafer?' Why internet procrastination is making life easier for hackersThe biggest threat to an organisation's cyber-security comes from within, according to a growing body of evidence. Employees are frequently putting their companies at risk of hacking by sharing their passwords, using public WiFi networks to send sensitive information, or not protecting the privacy of social media accounts. |
 | Bitcoin sell-off picks up steamA bitcoin sell-off that began at the beginning of the week is gaining momentum, with a quarter of its value evaporating in just the past 24 hours. |
T-Mobile to buy Austrian cable operator for $2.3 billionDeutsche Telekom's T-Mobile Austria unit has announced plans to buy cable operator UPC Austria in a deal that values the company at 1.9 billion euros ($2.3 billion.) | |
End of a Google era: Alphabet executive chairman Eric Schmidt steps downBringing to a close the stewardship of one of the world's most successful companies, Eric Schmidt is stepping aside as the executive chairman of Google-parent Alphabet's board of directors. | |
Qualcomm rejects Broadcom's nominees to boardQualcomm says it won't back any of the candidates that Broadcom and Silver Lake Partners are proposing for its board of directors, saying they are conflicted and have no incremental skills or expertise to offer. | |
 | Bitcoin goes on wild ride and it may only get crazier (Update)What's a bitcoin worth? Lately nobody knows for sure, but after a wild ride on Friday, it's worth a good deal less than it was Thursday. |
 | Suit: iPhones Apple slowed forced owners to buy new phonesApple iPhone owners from several states are suing the tech giant for not disclosing sooner that it had issued software updates deliberately slowing older-model phones so aging batteries lasted longer. |
 | China jails seller of VPN servicesA Chinese entrepreneur has been sentenced to 5 ½ years in prison for selling virtual private network service, a government newspaper said, as Beijing tries to stamp out use of technology that evades its internet filters. |
 | Cities: How smart strategies can turn into effective action plansSmart innovations are years in the making and require long-term vision. Changes in government and citizens' sensibilities can halt or alter strategies. So how can they survive to create lasting change? |
 | Making container technology work for persistent microservicesIn the technology realm, containers are an approach to running a compute environment, a bit like virtual machines (VM). Users typically prefer containers because they use resources more efficiently, start and stop much faster, and are less expensive to maintain. IBM Research co-developed Ubiquity with the IBM Cloud Storage Solutions team with the objective of providing a container-persistence service and a code base to develop enterprise and provider-grade storage plugins for different block or file storage systems quickly and inexpensively for the most common container orchestrators. |
 | How driverless cars will change travelThe idea of a completely autonomous vehicle is exciting—and a bit scary. As we envision future advancements on the road, many would like to know just how much driverless cars could change human travel. |
Detroit's Amazon bid pitches big tax breaks, cheap labor costs, possible ferry to WindsorState, local and Canadian officials have offered Amazon a giant package of tax breaks and development incentives that would extend over decades if the e-commerce giant were to pick the Detroit and Windsor region for its second headquarters. | |
Belarus aspires to become leader in digital currenciesThe president of Belarus has offered generous tax benefits and other incentives to information technology firms to help turn the ex-Soviet nation into a leader in digital currencies. | |
Medicine & Health news
 | Scientists reprogram stem cells to regenerate muscle in muscular dystrophySpecially programmed stem cells demonstrated the potential to regenerate lost muscle mass in muscular dystrophy, according to a Northwestern Medicine study published in Nature Communications. |
 | Cancer cells that escape from senescence found to have an enhanced capacity to drive tumor growthAn international team of researchers has found that cancer cells that escape from senescence due to use of chemotherapy have an enhanced capacity to drive tumor growth. In their paper published in the journal Nature, the group describes their study that involved mouse models and cancer cells that escaped cell-division arrest after exposure to chemo drugs. Jan Paul Medema with the Cancer Center Amsterdam offers a News and Views piece on the work done by the team in the same journal issue. |
 | Male birth control gel to go into trialsA team at the US National Institute of Child Health and Human Development has announced that it will be putting a contraception gel it has developed into trials starting this April. The trials will involve more than 400 couples in the U.S., Italy, Chile, Kenya, the U.K. and Sweden. The group has previously published a paper in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, detailing the makeup of the gel, how it is used, and how effective it is believed to be. |
 | Research identifies cells that may be responsible for prostate cancer recurrenceAlthough men with prostate cancer usually respond to standard treatment with hormone therapy or chemotherapy, many will eventually experience progression or recurrence despite treatment—particularly those with high-risk or aggressive forms of the disease. In preclinical laboratory research, a team led by Dean Tang, Ph.D., Chair of Pharmacology and Therapeutics at Roswell Park Cancer Institute has discovered a unique population of normal stem cells that are intrinsically resistant to conventional treatments and may enable prostate cancer relapse. In a new publication in the journal Stem Cell Reports, the team reports its development of a novel preclinical model that allows not only the labeling but also the purification of this rare but persistent population of prostate stem cells, which are dormant and, strikingly, resemble high-risk prostate cancer at the molecular level. |
 | Alexa and Siri in our head: Where voice recognition occurs in the brainAmazon recently announced that its language assistant Alexa is now able to recognise voices. What is celebrated as a tech revolution is an everyday process for our brain. So far, it has been unclear as to which areas of the brain we use to differentiate voices. The Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences has just uncovered new findings: Our personal assistant for voice recognition uses a convolution in the right temporal lobe. |
 | Researchers shed light on why exercise slows progression of Parkinson's diseaseWhile vigorous exercise on a treadmill has been shown to slow the progression of Parkinson's disease in patients, the molecular reasons behind it have remained a mystery. |
 | Study identifies new loci associated with asthma enriched in epigenetic marksAn international study led by scientists from Inserm and Paris Diderot University (France), the University of Chicago (USA), the National Heart and Lung Institute (UK) and the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (USA) together with researchers of the Trans-National Asthma Genetics Consortium (TAGC) has discovered five new regions of the genome that increase the risk of asthma. This study was published Friday, Dec. 22 in the journal Nature Genetics. |
 | New marker could detect fatal breast cancer up to one year earlier than current methodsA new marker that could be used to diagnose fatal breast cancer up to one year ahead of current methods has been described in a study published in the open access journal Genome Medicine this week. A team of researchers led by University College London, UK found that a region of DNA called EFC#93 showed abnormal patterns of DNA methylation in breast cancer samples. Importantly, these patterns are present in blood serum before the cancer becomes detectable in the breast. |
 | New laser scanners shed light on eye disease before vision loss occursSFU engineering science professor Marinko Sarunic has developed a high resolution retinal imaging scanner that will one day revolutionize eye care, helping ophthalmologists diagnose eye diseases before vision loss occurs. |
| Researchers recommend specific diets for preventing colorectal cancer in high-risk groupsColorectal cancer is the most prevalent malignant tumour in Spain. It is known that factors such as diet and intestinal inflammation play an important role in its occurrence, but direct links between nutrients, inflammation and colorectal cancer are poorly described. Researchers at the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) have discovered that the amount of protein consumed may be an important factor in the prevention of colorectal cancer in different risk groups. People already suffering from inflammatory bowel disease could benefit from a high-protein diet; however, in contrast, low protein consumption may be the best option for those people who have a genetic predisposition to develop colon cancer. |
Rate and risk of head injury in mixed martial arts remain unknownThe rate and potential risk of traumatic brain injury in mixed martial arts remain unknown due to lack of regulation and protocols surrounding these injuries, according to a new study. | |
Roche targets tumours with Ignyta purchaseRoche, the world's top cancer drug maker, announced Friday it had agreed to buy US firm Ignyta, which is developing a treatment against some tumours, for $1.7 billion (1.4 billion euros). | |
 | Folic acid late in pregnancy may increase childhood allergy riskResearch from the University of Adelaide suggests that taking folic acid in late pregnancy may increase the risk of allergies in children affected by growth restriction during pregnancy. |
 | What psychiatrists have to say about holiday bluesThis time of the year brings a lot of changes to the usual day-to-day life of hundreds of millions of people: The weather is colder, trees are naked, snowy days become plentiful and friendly critters are less visible around the neighborhood. Especially in the Western Hemisphere, this time of the year is also linked to a lot of joyous celebrations and traditions. Most children and many adults have been excited for this time of the year to come for months, and they love the aura of celebrations, with their gatherings, gifts, cookies, emails and cards. |
 | The holiday-suicide myth and the intractability of popular falsehoodsFor years, the media have reported that more suicides occur during the holidays than at any other time. |
The ideal 'dose' of behavioral interventions to prevent and treat childhood obesityEstablishing the optimum "dose" of behavioral interventions to prevent and treat childhood obesity is critical for addressing the ongoing obesity epidemic and developing future interventions. | |
Plant molecule could be used to block postoperative incisional painA promising approach to post-operative incision-site pain control uses a naturally occurring plant molecule called resiniferatoxin (RTX). RTX is found in Euphorbia resinifera, a cactus-like plant native to Morocco, which is 500 times more potent than the chemical that produces heat in hot peppers, and may help limit the use of opioid medication while in the hospital and during home recovery. | |
 | Six mental health tips for a stress-free festive seasonThis holiday season, we asked Darren Ferleyko, director of Staff Wellness at the University of Calgary, to give us his top six tips to have a healthy, restful holiday break. |
 | Researchers develop risk assessment tool to predict future kidney diseasePaulette McIlvena went to bed, at home, and woke up three weeks later, in hospital. She became severely ill due to complications from pancreatitis. While she was in a coma McIlvena underwent surgery and was put on dialysis as a temporary measure. Following those events in 2004, the pancreatitis cleared up, McIlvena's kidneys started working again, and she thought her kidney troubles were behind her. |
 | Study suggests that alcohol consumption contributes to self-blame in rape casesAn experimental study has suggested that alcohol consumption contributes to self-blame in rape, and women who blame themselves may not be as likely to report it. |
 | Violence declines during intensive PTSD treatment, study saysCombat veterans diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experienced declines in violent behavior while undergoing treatment in an intensive Veterans Health Administration (VHA) PTSD program, according to a new study by Yale Department of Psychiatry faculty published online in the journal Psychiatric Services. |
 | Five things to know about coughing kidsParents know the drill. First comes the sniffles, followed by congestion—and then finally, a persistent, hacking cough. And that cough can drag out for weeks, long after the other upper-respiratory symptoms clear up. Why is that? And more importantly, what should you do about it? |
 | Older adults need support for healthy weight loss in 2018If you're trying to drop a few pounds in 2018, forget the fancy gym memberships and the home-delivered diets. Researchers at Wake Forest University say seniors whose New Year's resolution is to lose weight succeed with a much cheaper and more accessible solution: classes at community fitness centers such as the YMCA. |
 | Hormone therapy combination may benefit health without increasing cancer riskTreating ovariectomized mice with a combination of conjugated estrogens and the drug bazedoxifene triggers the expression of genes that improve metabolism and prevent weight gain – without stimulating the uterus and increasing risks of reproductive cancer, a new study suggests. |
Laboratory technique can detect Zika virus infection and make diagnostic tests more accessibleA new test for the Zika virus could help limit future outbreaks, especially in areas without access to sophisticated diagnostic methods. | |
Researchers report a new target to treat prostate cancerThe drug Gefitinib is used to treat breast, lung, and other cancers by inhibiting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling, but it has only a limited effect on prostate cancer. EGFR, present on the cell membrane, is involved in cell proliferation and the development of dermis, lung, and digestive tissues. When a mutation causes its over-activation, it can lead to increased cell proliferation and tumor formation. | |
 | Experts say these two things are the secret to living a longer life"Blue zones" are areas of the world where people live considerably longer lives. On these territories we can find octogenarians, nonagenarians and many centenarians, and even some supercentenarians (people who have reached the age of 110). |
 | Walking might not be good for you if it's through polluted city streetsWe don't see air pollution, unless its concentration is high, and so we don't realise it's there and that we breathe it in. We don't think of the devices we use every day and many times a day: cars, as air pollution sources. |
 | Heart disease and stroke deaths decline slightly, new statistics findDeaths from heart disease and stroke have declined slightly, yet both diseases remain among the leading causes of death in the United States, new federal statistics show. |
 | Can we turn back the clock on an aging thymus?As we age our thymus shrinks and is replaced by fatty tissue, losing its essential ability to grow and develop T cells and leaving us susceptible to infections, immune disorders and cancers. |
 | Support programmes for perpetrators of domestic abuse are controversial, but new research finds they bring benefitsDomestic abuse is a major health and social issue that affects the lives of millions of people, most of them women, across the world. Our recent research shows that programmes to help abusers are proving to be effective in helping men recognise and change their abusive behaviour – and are also value for money. We found that for every £1 spent delivering such a programme, the value to society was £1.40. |
 | A Christmas spice that may reduce your blood cholesterolCinnamon is a popular spice at Christmas time, used to flavour everything from mulled wine to pumpkin pie. And, unlike many Christmas foods, this one might actually be good for you. |
 | How odours are turned into long-term memoriesThe neuroscientists Dr. Christina Strauch and Prof Dr. Denise Manahan-Vaughan from the Ruhr-Universität Bochum have investigated which brain area is responsible for storing odours as long-term memories. Some odours can trigger memories of experiences from years back. The current study shows that the piriform cortex, a part of the olfactory brain, is involved in the process of saving those memories; the mechanism, however, only works in interaction with other brain areas. The findings have been published in the journal Cerebral Cortex. |
 | Bone fragility variants linked to concordant pediatric skeleton(HealthDay)—Established bone fragility variants are associated with a concordant phenotypic model of the pediatric skeleton but not with discordant phenotypic models, according to a study published online Dec. 14 in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. |
 | Swelling, infection most common side effects of injectable fillers(HealthDay)—The most common adverse events associated with injectable fillers are swelling and infection, according to a study published online Dec. 21 in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery. |
Testing for Alzheimer's genes forces difficult decisionsLast year, Barbara's husband thought it would be fun to learn more about their family's history, so he bought 23andMe gene-testing kits for himself, Barbara and their three daughters for Christmas. | |
T cell-inducing dengue vaccines may better protect children of vaccinated mothersFor a long time, a dengue vaccine was the holy grail in dengue research. Now that a dengue vaccine is finally on the market (Sanofi's Dengvaxia), other issues have arisen, such as what happens in the babies of vaccinated mothers. | |
 | 'Tis the season to fight infection(HealthDay)—A hectic holiday pace not only tires you out, it makes it easier to pick up an infection. |
 | Zika remains a research and public health challenge, say scientistsSince 2016, when Zika was declared by the World Health Organization as a public health emergency of international concern, the virus has become established in more than 80 countries, infected millions of people, and left many babies with birth defects (collectively called congenital Zika syndrome). Although scientists have made progress in their understanding of the virus and its mosquito carrier, and are working toward treatments and a preventive vaccine, it would be premature to think that the Zika pandemic is now under control and will not reemerge, perhaps more aggressively, say leaders from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health. |
Revised 'mcdonald criteria' expected to speed the diagnosis of multiple sclerosisThe McDonald Criteria for the Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis have just been revised by a 30-member international panel of MS experts co-chaired by Jeffrey Cohen, MD (Cleveland Clinic) and Alan Thompson, MD (University College London). Recommended revisions are expected to speed the diagnostic process and reduce the chance of misdiagnosis. | |
 | Preterm infants have narrowed upper airways, which may explain higher obstructive sleep apnea riskInfants born preterm have significantly lower nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal volumes, compared with newborn peers carried to full term, and those lower airway volumes are independent of the infants' gender, ethnicity or weight, according to a study published online Dec. 16, 2017 in Clinical Imaging. |
 | How to avoid 'toy overload' this holiday season(HealthDay)—Santa's sleigh may be brimming with toys, but some experts say an excess of dolls, trucks and other playthings can overwhelm a child. |
 | E. coli outbreak in Canada, women at higher riskCanada's public health agency warned Friday of an E. coli outbreak linked to romaine lettuce that has mainly affected women, and has been linked to at least one death. |
Researchers study inebriation at sporting eventsIn many western countries, public concern about violence and other problems at sporting events has increased. Alcohol is often involved. Research shows that approximately 40 percent of the spectators drink alcohol while attending U.S. baseball and football games, especially when alcohol is served within the arenas themselves. Alcohol-related problems can be compounded at large sport stadiums that hold tens of thousands of spectators. This study examined occurrences of overserving at licensed premises both inside and outside the arenas, and allowing entry of obviously intoxicated spectators into the arenas. | |
 | Ten ways to get reluctant kids to schoolAre you struggling with getting your child to school? Here is some advice on what you should do as a parent – and what you should not do. |
Yeast study links sugar to growth of cancer cellsScientists studying glucose fermentation in yeast have found that proteins linked to cancer can be activated by sugar. | |
 | Emerging drug could help treat a common liver diseaseTreating a liver disease called NASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis), which affects 10 to 15 percent of obese individuals with type-2 diabetes worldwide, is difficult. But now scientists believe they have found a pharmacologic approach that may inhibit NASH, and thus stop deadly conditions that result from NASH such as cirrhosis and liver cancer. |
Alzheimer's foundation offers tips, examples for holidaysThe table is set, the tree is decorated, cookies on festive platters are wrapped in plastic. | |
Biology news
 | Scientists identify hidden genetic variation that helps drive evolutionIdentifying complex mutations in the structure of an organism's genome has been difficult. But in a new study published online in Nature Genetics, a research team led by J.J. Emerson, assistant professor of ecology & evolutionary biology at the Ayala School of Biological Sciences, applies new methods of genome analysis to identify these complex mutations with unprecedented resolution. |
 | Moth females use scent proximity to attract matesFemale moths deemed unworthy or unattractive to male moths can increase their odds of attracting a mate by emitting their sex pheromones - their "come-hither" scents - in close proximity to attractive females, according to new research from North Carolina State University. The findings shed light on so-called satellite strategies used by animals to better their chances at finding mates. |
 | Salamander genome gives clues about unique regenerative abilityResearchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have managed to sequence the giant genome of a salamander, the Iberian ribbed newt, which is a full six times greater than the human genome. Amongst the early findings is a family of genes that can provide clues to the unique ability of salamanders to rebuild complex tissue, even body parts. The study is published in Nature Communications. |
 | Degrading coral reefs bad news for commercial fishingThe degradation of coral reefs might have short-term benefits for some fish groups, but would be bad for fisheries long-term, according to a University of Queensland-led study. |
 | Bedbug tips for holiday travelersTexas A&M AgriLife Extension Service entomologists say a few simple practices can help holiday travelers deal with bedbug infestations and avoid spreading the pest. |
 | Research reveals how climate change may affect Hawaiian fishpond aquacultureFor centuries, indigenous peoples of the Hawaiian Islands practiced sustainable aquaculture by building walled fishponds in coastal estuaries. Historical records estimate that in the early 1900s an extensive network of over 450 fishponds across the Hawaiian Islands produced upwards of 2 million pounds of fish annually and supported large thriving communities. Currently, worldwide aquaculture accounts for almost one-half of fish consumption. |
Two proteins maintain embryonic stem cell pluripotency through different meansTwo 'finger-like' proteins employ different mechanisms to help safeguard the ability of embryonic stem cells to differentiate into a variety of cell types, according to an A*STAR-led study. This finding could help researchers develop new ways to regenerate lost or damaged tissue. | |
 | Why we shouldn't be so quick to demonise batsAustralian health authorities regularly issue public reminders not to touch bats because they can host Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABLV). This type of health education is necessary because it reduces human exposure to bat-borne diseases. However, subsequent sensationalist media reporting risks demonising bats, which increases human-wildlife conflict and poses barriers to conservation. |
 | Prehistoric women's skeletons show impact of rigorous manual labourWomen living around 7 000 years ago did a lot of heavy lifting in their early agrarian societies. Now skeletal analysis reveals they were even stronger than the top female athletes of today. |
 | Rainbow peacock spiders may inspire new optical technologiesEven if you are arachnophobic, you probably have seen pictures or videos of Australian peacock spiders (Maratus spp.). These tiny spiders are only 1-5 mm long but are famous for their flamboyant courtship displays featuring diverse and intricate body colorations, patterns, and movements. |
 | Scientists call for action to tackle the threat of invasive tree species to a global biodiversity hotspotAn invasive Australian tree is now posing a serious threat to a global diversity 'hotspot' according to new collaborative research between Landcare Research in New Zealand, the Universities of Cambridge (UK) Denver (US) and Bangor University (UK). |
 | Boat traffic threatens the survival of Panama's Bocas Del Toro dolphinsBottlenose dolphins in Panama's Bocas Del Toro Archipelago should be designated as endangered say the authors of a new study. Biologists working at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute discovered that the roughly 80 dolphins in the archipelago do not interbreed with other Caribbean bottlenose dolphins. Their low numbers jeopardize their long-term survival, which is threatened by increasing local boat traffic that killed at least seven dolphins in 2012. |
 | New species of marine spider emerges at low tide to remind scientists of Bob MarleyIt was 2am on the 11th of January 2009 when the sea along the coastline of Australia's "Sunshine State" of Queensland receded to such an extent that it exposed a population of water-adapted spiders. The observant researchers who would later describe these spiders as a species new to science, were quick to associate their emergence with reggae legend Bob Marley and his song "High Tide or Low Tide". |
 | To mow or not to mow: Tackling nuisance growth of water plants at the rootMassive growth of submerged aquatic plants can be a nuisance, especially in summer. It's up to water managers to limit the inconvenience for swimmers, boats and fishermen in a way that is both responsible and cost-effective. NIOO researcher Michiel Verhofstad defended his PhD thesis this week on the 'root' causes of the problem, and how best to tackle it. |
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