Science X Newsletter Tuesday, Feb 27

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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for February 27, 2018:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Astronomers identify a mega metal-poor dwarf star

Study shows babies expect fairness in resource sharing

Simulations suggest changes in weather patterns coming to India due to global warming

Scientists monitor crop photosynthesis, performance using invisible light

5.5 million-year-old fossil turtle species sheds light on invasive modern relatives

British astronaut hails 'groundbreaking' Airbus satellite

Tracker finds nearly half of last year's ICO offerings bit the dust

Ecological success of community-based wildlife conservation in Tanzania

Evidence of quantum state in spin cluster chain predicted by Nobel Prize recipient found in magnetic mineral

Attoseconds break into atomic interior

Study reveals why polymer stents failed

Optical properties of two-dimensional materials for potential advancements to infrared technology

Cannabis compound reduces seizures

XMM-Newton spies first clear X-ray flares from massive stellar lighthouse

What Vikings really put in their pillows

Astronomy & Space news

	Astronomers identify a mega metal-poor dwarf star A group of Spanish astronomers has found a new primitive mega metal-poor star. The object, designated SDSS J0023+0307, is apparently one of the most iron-poor stars known to date. The finding is reported February 17 in a paper published on the arXiv pre-print repository.
	British astronaut hails 'groundbreaking' Airbus satellite British astronaut Tim Peake on Monday hailed a "groundbreaking" satellite being built by Airbus which its developers say will bring an unprecedented level of flexibility to space telecommunications.
	XMM-Newton spies first clear X-ray flares from massive stellar lighthouse In 2014, ESA's XMM-Newton spotted X-rays emanating from the massive star Rho Ophiuchi A and, last year, found these to ebb and flow periodically in the form of intense flares – both unexpected results. The team has now used ESO's Very Large Telescope to find that the star boasts a strong magnetic field, confirming its status as a cosmic lighthouse.
	How does water change the Moon's origin story? It's amazing what a difference a little water can make. The Moon formed between about 4.4 and 4.5 billion years ago when an object collided with the still-forming proto-Earth. This impact created a hot and partially vaporized disk of material that rotated around the baby planet, eventually cooling and accreting into the Moon.
	When do aging brown dwarfs sweep the clouds away? Brown dwarfs, the larger cousins of giant planets, undergo atmospheric changes from cloudy to cloudless as they age and cool. A team of astronomers led by Carnegie's Jonathan Gagné measured for the first time the temperature at which this shift happens in young brown dwarfs. Their findings, published by the Astrophysical Journal Letters, may help them better understand how gas giant planets like our own Solar System's Jupiter evolved.
	Alien life in our Solar System? Study hints at Saturn's moon Humanity may need look no further than our own Solar System in the search for alien life, researchers probing one of Saturn's moons said Tuesday.
	Tesla in space could carry bacteria from Earth A red Tesla convertible hitched a ride to space with a SpaceX rocket in early February, bringing with it what may be the largest load of earthly bacteria to ever enter space.
In the margins: Why aliens won't use the metric system No, I'm not talking about Americans. I'm talking about intelligent life out in the cosmos.
	Image: Snowy Europe Europe shivers as a cold front sweeps in from Siberia, Russia, bringing freezing temperatures to the continent. This chilly snap is being dubbed as the Beast from the East.
	Engineers patent high-speed flash memory system for use on satellites Engineers from Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) have patented a flash memory storage system that allows satellites to collect and store vast amounts of data for later transmission to ground stations.
	Astronauts aim for icy homecoming after months in space Three astronauts face a bitterly cold homecoming after nearly six months aboard the International Space Station.

Technology news

	Tracker finds nearly half of last year's ICO offerings bit the dust ICO stands for initial coin offering. A startup sells its own crypto token to raise money.
	Army researchers are after cost-effective safer, lighter batteries Scientists at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory and the Georgia Institute of Technology are focused on the development of batteries that improve the safety and energy density of ones currently found on the battlefield.
Wind and solar power could meet four-fifths of US electricity demand, study finds The United States could reliably meet about 80 percent of its electricity demand with solar and wind power generation, according to scientists at the University of California, Irvine; the California Institute of Technology; and the Carnegie Institution for Science.
	5G wireless race heats up The race to bring super-fast 5G wireless services to market is heating up with the first commercial deployments of the much-anticipated technology expected at the end of the year.
	German court paves way for diesel driving bans (Update) A top German court on Tuesday ruled that cities can impose diesel driving bans to combat air pollution, in a landmark decision that could shake up the auto industry and upend transport policies.
	Why blockchain challenges conventional thinking about intellectual property Cryptocurrencies are getting a lot of attention, but finance is only one of many applications of the blockchain technology behind it.
Smart electricity meters are here, but more is needed to make them useful to customers Across most of Australia, the electricity industry is in the midst of a major rollout of so-called "smart meters" led by retailers – your household may very well have one already.
	Secondhand smartphone market takes off but far from green Thanks to a fast-growing secondhand market, smartphones are increasingly being re-used but large-scale handset recycling is not happening as the industry struggles to go green.
	Rights group: China using personal data as repression tool Human Rights Watch says it has found new evidence that authorities in one of China's most repressive regions are sweeping up citizens' personal information in a stark example of how big-data technology can be used to police a population.
Wood fuels key to easing food insecurity situation in sub-Saharan Africa Access to wood fuels for cooking must be considered when formulating policy to deal with food insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa, according to researchers who advocate expanding the effort to improve wood-fuel systems and make them more sustainable.
Accelerating self-driving car innovation On a Monday morning in January of this year a man got into his Tesla sedan, pulled onto a highway outside of Los Angeles, and engaged the vehicle's semi-autonomous "Autopilot" mode. The car juggled inputs from 8 cameras, 12 ultrasonic sensors and one radar to navigate the highway, avoiding other vehicles and staying within the dotted lines. Then, it plowed straight into the back of a stopped firetruck.
	Scientists say space aliens could hack our planet With all the news stories these days about computer hacking, it probably comes as no surprise that someone is worried about hackers from outer space. Yes, there are now scientists who fret that space aliens might send messages that worm their way into human society—not to steal our passwords but to bring down our culture.
	Less is more as companies explore shopping by voice When the world shifted from personal computers to smartphones, websites had to slim down to work on smaller screens and slower wireless connections. A similar shift to voice-centric services is again forcing businesses to rethink how they present information to consumers—and spurring new efforts to help them do so.
	Facebook launches effort to help boost newspaper subscriptions Facebook on Tuesday announced a $3 million pilot project aimed at helping US newspapers boost paid digital subscriptions.
	Ford and Miami to form test bed for self-driving cars Ford Motor Co. is making Miami-Dade County its new test bed for self-driving vehicles.
	Groundbreaking flight control system undergoes third round of testing Illinois Professor Naira Hovakimyan is poised to enter into an unprecedented third round of flight tests using her L1 adaptive control system.
$5 billion lawsuit filed against alleged bitcoin creator The family of a dead programmer has filed a $5 billion dollar lawsuit against a man who claimed to be the creator of bitcoin.
	Supercomputing under a new lens: A Sandia-developed benchmark re-ranks top computers A Sandia National Laboratories software program now installed as an additional test for the widely observed TOP500 supercomputer challenge has become increasingly prominent. The program's full name—High Performance Conjugate Gradients, or HPCG—doesn't come trippingly to the tongue, but word is seeping out that this relatively new benchmarking program is becoming as valuable as its venerable partner—the High Performance LINPACK program—which some say has become less than satisfactory in measuring many of today's computational challenges.
Study suggests risk of ALS increases with more exposure to diesel exhaust People who are frequently exposed to diesel exhaust while on the job may have a higher risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and that risk may increase with greater exposure, according to a preliminary study released today that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 70th Annual Meeting in Los Angeles, April 21 to 27, 2018.
	Anatomy of a bitcoin transaction: Buying a used Subaru Bitcoins can buy you a TAG Heuer watch, a cross-country flight or a meatball marinara sub. But really, how does it work?
German appeals court says Google doesn't have to check links A top German appeals court has ruled Google does not have to check the content of pages it links to for possible legal violations before providing search results.
	Clipboard sucked into plane engine: Australia regulator A clipboard left behind during pre-flight checks was sucked into the jet engine of an international passenger plane, Australian safety regulators said Tuesday.
	US consumer confidence soars to 17-year record US consumer confidence leapt to a 17-year record in February, driven higher by strong expectations that jobs will remain plentiful in the near-term, according to a survey released Tuesday.
	Boeing says it has Trump deal on Air Force One planes Boeing said Tuesday it has reached an agreement to build future Air Force One planes after addressing Donald Trump's criticism over hefty costs associated with the presidential aircraft.
	Justices seem ready to rule against Microsoft in email case The Supreme Court appeared ready Tuesday to allow the government to force American technology companies to hand over emails and other digital information sought in criminal probes but stored in the internet cloud outside the U.S.
Researchers learn more about reducing noise in tire systems by altering belt structure In recent years, the knowledge about the influence of tire noise on vehicle noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) has increased. Hence, studies have focused on tire noise.
	Barca eSport team set to face other major clubs Barcelona will launch a professional eSport team and expects to play against other leading European clubs, the La Liga leaders announced on Tuesday.

Medicine & Health news

	Study reveals why polymer stents failed Many patients with heart disease have a metal stent implanted to keep their coronary artery open and prevent blood clotting that can lead to heart attacks. One drawback to these stents is that long-term use can eventually damage the artery.
	Cannabis compound reduces seizures About one third of patients treated for epilepsy continue to have seizures. Cannabidiol (CBD), one of the many active compounds in the cannabis (marijuana) plant, has gained attention as a treatment for epilepsy. Purified CBD is being tested, but artisanal formulations of CBD (oils) are already available and being used by patients.
	Study shows women experience less pain when holding loved one's hand A small team of researchers from the University of Colorado, the University of Haifa and University Paris Diderot has found that women sense less pain when holding the hand of a person they love. In their paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the group describes the experiments they conducted in which women were exposed to some degree of pain and were then asked to report how painful it felt under different conditions.
	Carbon yarn taps nerves for electroceutical treatments and diagnostics Ingested or injected pharmaceuticals can target specific molecules involved in disease processes, but get distributed throughout the body where they can cause unwanted side effects. An approach known as electroceuticals aims to avoid systemic exposure by using small wires to electrically monitor and manipulate individual nerves that control organ function and carry information about disease. Despite the promise of electroceuticals, it has been challenging to develop long-term therapies due to the lack of biocompatible wires. Now, NIBIB-funded researches have spun carbon nanotubes into flexible, nerve-sized wires or yarns capable of high-fidelity long-term connections in live animals. The development of these biocompatible yarns opens the possibility of new bioelectric diagnostics and therapies through regulation of internal organ function at the single nerve level.
	Scientists link genes to brain anatomy in autism A team of scientists at the University of Cambridge has discovered that specific genes are linked to individual differences in brain anatomy in autistic children.
	Scientists find single letter of genetic code that makes African Salmonella so dangerous Scientists at the University of Liverpool have identified a single genetic change in Salmonella that is playing a key role in the devastating epidemic of bloodstream infections currently killing around 400,000 people each year in sub-Saharan Africa.
	Study tracks what moths think when they smell with their antennae Think of an animal tracking a scent, and you may picture a bloodhound with its nose to the ground. But a moth fluttering through the air is likely smelling for clues, too. Pollinating insects like the hawkmoth track scents to forage for food—not with a nose, but with their antennae.
Check offenders for history of head injuries, experts say Offenders should be routinely checked for signs of past head injuries, researchers say.
Multiple types of delirium in the ICU indicate high risk for long-term cognitive decline Critically ill patients who experience long periods of hypoxic, septic or sedative-associated delirium, or a combination of the three, during an intensive care unit (ICU) stay are more likely to have long-term cognitive impairment one year after discharge from the hospital, according to a new study from the University of Pittsburgh and Vanderbilt University. This is the first study to show more than half of patients with acute respiratory failure or shock, or both, develop multiple sub-categories of delirium with lasting effects.
Over years, depression changes the brain, new study shows Is clinical depression always the same illness, or does it change over time?
	Oxytocin strengthens mothers' neural responses to infant and adult faces In a new study from the University of Tampere in Finland, nasally administered oxytocin spray strengthened brain responses to pictures of infant and adult faces in mothers of one-year-old infants. Oxytocin is a hormone and a neuropeptide that plays an important role in inducing labor, lactation, and caregiving behaviors in mammals. The influence of oxytocin on the perception of faces, emotions, and other social information has been widely studied in recent years by administering oxytocin with a nasal spray. Studies have shown, for example, that intranasal oxytocin administration may increase emotion recognition and brain activity during face perception.
Exposure to common THM levels in drinking water not associated with breast cancer Exposure to trihalomethanes (THMs) in residential water is not associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. This is the main conclusion of a new study by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal). Long-term exposure to THMs, a byproduct of chemical disinfection of drinking water, has long been associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer, but the evidence linking these compounds to other cancers, including breast cancer, is very limited.
	Daffodils to fight against cancer A study published in the scientific journal Structure (Cell Press) describes the anti-cancer effects of a natural alkaloid extracted from Daffodils. Led by Denis Lafontaine, affiliated with the Faculty of Sciences at the ULB, the researchers have discovered that this compound triggers the activation of an anti-tumoral surveillance pathway.
Genetics researchers close in on schizophrenia Researchers at the MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics at Cardiff University have discovered 50 new gene regions that increase the risk of developing schizophrenia. They have also used state-of-the-art information about brain development to accurately pinpoint new genes and biological pathways implicated in this disorder.
	Iron removal as a potential cancer therapy Researchers at Okayama University report in Oncotarget a promising method for targeting cancer stem cells that cause tumor growth and cancer relapse. The approach involves administering molecules that capture iron, an overload of which is known to be a potential cause of cancer.
	Colorectal cancer—combined analysis enhances risk prediction First-degree relatives affected by colorectal cancer comprise a patient's elevated risk of developing bowel cancer. The same holds true for people who have large numbers of genetic risk markers in their genome. Both factors are usually used alternatively, not combined, to predict risk. Scientists from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg have now shown that a combination of family history and an analysis of genetic markers helps determine a person's colorectal cancer risk more precisely.
Setting guidelines for effective and ethical short-term medical missions Short-term medical missions (STMMs) have been described variously as volunteer missions, internships, global health education, and medical brigades, and in the last two decades, there has been a surge in such undertakings. Despite mostly positive intentions and many examples of successful medical intervention, humanitarian aid and volunteer efforts like these can also present real and potential harm to host communities.
	New evidence suggests nutritional labelling on menus may reduce our calorie intake New evidence published in the Cochrane Library today shows that adding calorie labels to menus and next to food in restaurants, coffee shops and cafeterias, could reduce the calories that people consume, although the quality of evidence is low.
	Identification of brain region responsible for alleviating pain could lead to development of opioid alternatives Researchers from the UK & Japan have identified how the brain's natural painkilling system could be used as a possible alternative to opioids for the effective relief of chronic pain, which affects as many as one in three people at some point in their lives.
	Should athletes with cardiovascular diseases play sports? In 2012, Olympic gold medalist swimmer Dana Vollmer set a world record even as a genetic condition threatened to stop her heart at any moment. She has long-QT syndrome, one of several inherited heart diseases that can send patients into cardiac arrest.
New study shows when 'broken hearts' are most deadly A University of Otago, Christchurch, summer student has identified the days when patients are most vulnerable to dying from a "broken heart."
New study launched to examine the mental health of footballers The University of Liverpool has launched a new study to explore and assess the mental health and well-being of academy and professional football players.
	Does losing weight reduce the risk of cancer? Obesity is the biggest cause of cancer in the UK, after smoking.
	Bringing pleasure into the discussion about sexting among teens New research on sexting published today in JAMA Pediatrics finds that sexting has increased among teens in recent years, and increases as youths age.
	Five reasons why being kind makes you feel good – according to science Everybody can appreciate acts of kindness. But when it comes to explaining why we do them, people often take one of two extreme positions. Some think kindness is something completely selfless that we do out of love and care, while others believe it is just a tool that we cunningly use to become more popular and reap the benefits.
Researchers reveal potential of bread that suppresses appetite UGR researchers, in collaboration with the company Puratos, have conducted an in-depth study on the potential benefits of a cereal-based bread enriched with soluble fibre, proteins and dried fruit. The bread, which curbs the appetite more than traditional breads, is designed to reduce food consumption between meals and thereby control energy intake.
	Microbiota-gut-brain axis is at epicenter of new approach to mental health The functional gut microbiome provides an exciting new therapeutic target for treating psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and trauma-related conditions. Innovative methods for studying and intervening in gut microbiome composition and activity to treat mental illness and maintain mental health are presented in a timely review article that is part of the "Microbiome Special Issue: Food, Drugs, Diagnostics, and Built Environments" of OMICS: A Journal of Integrative Biology, the peer-reviewed interdisciplinary journal published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers.
	Why do people intentionally injure themselves? For the family and friends of people who self-injure, as well as the doctors and services that try to support them, a key question is often: why do they do it?
	Research looks to reduce side effects in commonly used drugs New research from The Australian National University (ANU) has drilled down to the molecular level to find similarities across six pharmaceutical drugs used in pain relief, dentist anaesthetic, and treatment of epilepsy, in a bid to find a way to reduce unwanted side-effects.
	Stress and weight-related conditions prevalent among rookie bus drivers Though buses are constantly on the move, the drivers who operate them spend most of their work hours seated.
	'Social brain' networks are altered at a young age in autism As infants develop, they preferentially move towards and respond to social cues - such as voices, faces and human gestures. At the same time, their brain develops a network of regions that specialise in translating these cues, known as the 'social brain'. However, a common observation in infants later diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is reduced sensitivity and attention towards these social cues during the first year of life. This apparent indifference to social cues is thought to ultimately hinder the normal development of the social brain at early developmental stages. A team of researchers from the University of Geneva (UNIGE), Switzerland, now brings direct evidence of this hindered development during the toddler to pre-school years in autism. Their findings are published in the journal eLife.
	Massive data analysis shows what drives the spread of flu in the US Using several large datasets describing health care visits, geographic movements and demographics of more than 150 million people over nine years, researchers at the University of Chicago have created models that predict the spread of influenza throughout the United States each year.
	States with strong tobacco control measures have fewer e-cigarette users States with robust tobacco control policies and regulations, such as smoke free air laws and taxes on cigarettes, not only have fewer cigarette users but also fewer e-cigarette users, according to research from NYU School of Medicine and the NYU College of Global Public Health.
	Simple urine test could measure how much our body has aged Researchers find that a substance indicating oxidative damage increases in urine as people get older. The study, published today in open-access journal in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, also describes a way to easily measure levels of this marker in human urine samples. The new marker potentially provides a method to measure how much our body has aged—our biological rather than chronological age. This could help predict our risk of developing age-related disease, and even our risk of death.
	Experts call for specialist medical teams for rapidly ageing society At a time when family doctors are at 'saturation point' and facing a crisis in recruitment, new research reveals that they carry the burden of healthcare of our rapidly ageing population.
	Study suggests infection risk from reusable cups Eco-aware coffee drinkers run the risk of being exposed to potentially harmful bacteria if they don't wash their reusable cups shortly after use, a study has revealed.
	How strong neighborhood ties can prevent child abuse A California couple charged with torturing their 13 children and holding them captive for years appeared in court again on Friday. The case has drawn international attention, with many wondering how such dark behavior was kept secret for so long.
Fibromyalgia sufferers see chronic pain symptoms reduced in new meditation therapy study A team of academics has conducted the first study into the effectiveness of compassion meditation for treating fibromyalgia, a debilitating pain condition, which recently hit the headlines for causing Lady Gaga to cancel her world tour.
	How your brain is wired to just say 'yes' to opioids The mid-1980s was the era of cocaine and marijuana, when "Just Say No" was the centerpiece of the war on drugs and the government's efforts to stem drug use and addiction. Since then, prescription opioids have become the nation's drug scourge. The idea that mere willpower can fight this public health emergency is not only outdated, it's scientifically misguided.
Breast cancer's spread routes mapped Breast cancer spreads to other organs in the body according to certain specific patterns. This has been shown by a team of researchers from Karolinska Institutet and KTH in Sweden and the University of Helsinki in Finland who have mapped breast cancer's spread routes in patients by studying the cancer cells' DNA. The study is published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.
	Labour–inducing drugs put to the test Researchers comparing the use of two drugs for pregnant women who do not go into labour shortly after their waters break have found both are reasonable options.
Sea swimming increases ailnents People who swim, bathe or take part in water sports in the sea are substantially more likely to experience stomach bugs, ear aches and other types of illness than those who do not.
Researchers discover new source of skin defects in eczema Researchers at National Jewish Health have discovered a cause of the dry, inflamed and itchy skin that plagues eczema patients. A team led by Donald Leung, MD, Ph.D., has shown that an immune system skewed toward allergy alters the lipids in the skin. The altered lipids allow the skin to crack, water to leave and irritants to enter, setting the stage for eczematous lesions to develop. The research, supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Atopic Dermatitis Research Network, appeared in the February 22, 2018, issue of the journal JCI Insight.
	Military personnel seeking mental health care outside of the military A new article in Military Medicine, published by Oxford University Press, indicates that military personnel are making extensive use of outside mental health services, suggesting that military health and mental health services do not meet the needs of active duty service members.
	Researchers extract nicotine from ancient dental plaque for the first time A team of scientists including researchers from Washington State University has shown for the first time that nicotine residue can be extracted from plaque, also known as "dental calculus", on the teeth of ancient tobacco users.
Obesity could be linked to early childhood behavior Health authorities will need to focus on more than eating habits if they are going to combat the obesity epidemic.
International Spina Bifida experts shapes future research, shares insights for practical care Spina bifida (myelomeningocele), a serious and complex spinal cord birth defect, has an estimated prevalence of slightly over three cases per 10,000 live births. As medical and surgical interventions have improved, the life expectancy of individuals with spina bifida has increased. However, further research to address the complexities of this multi-system condition more effectively is needed. In order to provide a multidisciplinary forum for research in spina bifida, the Spina Bifida Association (SBA) sponsored the Third World Congress on Spina Bifida Research and Care in 2017. This special issue of the Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine (JPRM) presents significant contributions from that conference.
	Only 25 percent of women receive appropriate advice on pregnancy weight gain A new study of the role of healthcare provider recommendations on weight gain during pregnancy showed that while provider advice did influence gestational weight gain, only about one in four women received appropriate advice and another 25% received no advice. The impact of provider recommendations for pregnancy weight gain that are consistent with current Institute of Medicine (IOM) guidelines is reported in an article published in Journal of Women's Health, a peer-reviewed publication from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers.
Antimicrobial resistance in zoonotic bacteria still high in humans, animals and food Bacteria from humans and animals continue to show resistance to antimicrobials, according to a new report published today by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). The report highlights some emerging issues and confirms antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as one of the biggest threats to public health. AMR reduces the effectiveness of treatment options.
Shared decision-making between patients and clinicians can result in better choices As more and more older patients are offered advanced treatments for chronic diseases, including surgeries and implantable devices, new questions have arisen over how these decisions are made.
	Why the flu makes you feel so miserable (HealthDay)—If you're unlucky enough to come down with the flu, you can blame your own body for your fever, cough, muscle aches and head-to-toe distress, experts say.
	Your spouse's role in your job success (HealthDay)—The expression "my better half"—used to describe one's spouse—may be more than a cliche.
	No link found for metformin or statins and ovarian cancer (HealthDay)—In women with type 2 diabetes, no evidence was found of an association between the use of metformin or statins and the incidence of ovarian cancer, according to a study published online Feb. 7 in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
	Group CBT, pain education improve pain, physical function (HealthDay)—For patients with chronic pain, literacy-adapted group cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and group pain education (EDU) improve pain and physical function compared with usual care, according to a study published online Feb. 27 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
	Recommendations for optimizing hidden curriculum in medicine (HealthDay)—In a position paper published online Feb. 27 in the Annals of Internal Medicine, the American College of Physicians (ACP) presents recommendations for optimizing clinical learning environments by fostering a positive hidden curriculum in medicine.
	Understanding rx nonadherence can improve adherence (HealthDay)—Understanding nonadherence in patients and encouraging a change in attitude toward patients and their medication can improve medication adherence, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Researchers explore how activities affect brain development in kids Parents wondering how video games, athletic pursuits or sleeping habits may affect their kids' brains may get some answers thanks to a massive effort underway at 21 institutions across the country.
	Study suggests failed osteoarthritis drug could help treat opioid addiction A new study from Indiana University suggests that a drug proven safe for use in people may prevent opioid tolerance and physical dependence when used in combination with opioid-based pain medications.
	Receptors key to strong memories When we create a memory, a pattern of connections forms between neurons in the brain. New work from UC Davis shows how these connections can be strengthened or weakened at a molecular level. The study is published Feb. 27 in the journal Cell Reports.
More doctors follow the money, more nurse practitioners follow the need The rural physician shortage is well-established, and there's the notion that doctors don't necessarily establish their practices where need for health care is greatest—in poor and unhealthy communities.
	Fewer Americans think smoking a pack a day poses a great health risk About 3 out of 4 Americans agree that smoking cigarettes causes health problems, but public perception of the risks posed by smoking may be declining, according to a Duke Health study published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence.
	Switching on survival signalling to drive drug resistance Researchers at Queen Mary University of London have discovered that the loss of a single protein- PHLDA1- is sufficient for the development of drug resistance to a type of targeted therapy in endometrial and HER2-positive breast cancer cells.
	Novel genome platform reveals new HIV targets Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute (SBP) researchers have developed the first ever high-throughput, genome-scale imaging-based approach to investigate protein stability. The method has been used to identify several previously unkown human proteins that HIV degrades to enhance its infection process. The platform, termed Global Arrayed Protein Stability Analysis (GAPSA), enables the identification of circuits that drive the destruction of proteins in cells, and has broad application to identify novel therapeutic targets for diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, cancer, autoimmune disorders and infectious disease.
	Scientists unveil a hidden secret of the immortality enzyme telomerase Can we stay young forever, or even recapture lost youth? Research from the laboratory of Professor Julian Chen in the School of Molecular Sciences at Arizona State University recently uncovered a crucial step in the telomerase enzyme catalytic cycle. This catalytic cycle determines the ability of the human telomerase enzyme to synthesize DNA "repeats" (specific DNA segments of six nucleotides) onto chromosome ends, and so afford immortality in cells. Understanding the underlying mechanism of telomerase action offers new avenues toward effective anti-aging therapeutics. illustration depicting the enzyme telomerase This figure depicts the enzyme telomerase as well as telomeres relative to a chromosome.
	Unique pancreatic stem cells have potential to regenerate beta cells, respond to glucose Scientists from the Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine have confirmed the existence of progenitor cells within the human pancreas that can be stimulated to develop into glucose-responsive beta cells. These significant findings, published in Cell Reports, open the door to developing regenerative cell therapies for those living with type 1 diabetes, addressing a major challenge that stands in the way of discovering a biological cure for the disease.
Varicose veins tied to higher odds for blood clots (HealthDay)—Those tangled blue varicose veins that can pop up on your legs as you age may be more than unsightly: New research suggests they might quintuple your risk of dangerous blood clots.
	You're less likely to get a blood transfusion now (HealthDay)— Americans are getting fewer blood transfusions, and that's good news, researchers say.
	CABG may be best for patients with DM, LV dysfunction (HealthDay)—Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is associated with a significant reduction in major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events and mortality compared with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) among patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD), and left ventricular dysfunction (LVD), according to a study published in the Feb. 27 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
	Sleeve gastrectomy tied to drop in GDM, excessive fetal growth (HealthDay)—Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is associated with a lower rate of gestational diabetes mellitus and excessive fetal growth, according to a study published online Feb. 5 in Obstetrics & Gynecology.
	Women with non-obstructive CAD may suffer from myocardial scars (HealthDay)—Among women with suspected ischemia and no obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA), the prevalence of baseline late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) indicating presence of myocardial scars is 8 percent, according to a research letter published in the Feb. 20 issue of Circulation, a Go Red For Women issue focused on women's heart health.
	New domes technique reliable for primary rhinoplasty (HealthDay)—The new domes technique appears to be reliable in most patients undergoing primary rhinoplasty, according to a study published online Feb. 22 in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery.
	COPD hospitalizations, deaths, prevalence higher in rural areas (HealthDay)—Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) prevalence, Medicare hospitalizations, and deaths are significantly higher in rural areas, according to research published in the Feb. 23 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
	Treatment effect of fenofibrate varies in patients with T2DM (HealthDay)—For individual patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), the effect of fenofibrate treatment varies and is larger in patients with dyslipidemia, according to a study published online Feb. 22 in Diabetes Care.
	Low risk of serotonin syndrome for triptans + SSRI/SNRI (HealthDay)—A low risk of serotonin syndrome is seen in association with concomitant use of triptans and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) or selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) antidepressants, according to a study published online Feb. 26 in JAMA Neurology.
	Enabling technology for emerging gene therapies For years, researchers have attempted to harness the full potential of gene therapy, a technique that inserts genes into a patient's cells to treat aggressive diseases such as cancer. But getting engineered DNA molecules into cells is not an easy task.
	New insights into treating a rare leukemia A study at Children's Hospital Los Angeles is shedding new light on the best therapeutic approach for a rare and aggressive leukemia called mixed phenotype acute leukemia (MPAL).
Saline use on the decline at Vanderbilt following landmark studies Vanderbilt University Medical Center is encouraging its medical providers to stop using saline as intravenous fluid therapy for most patients, a change provoked by two companion landmark studies released today that are anticipated to improve survival and decrease kidney complications.
	Running rings around cholera outbreaks Targeting vaccine and other interventions to those in the vicinity of people with cholera could be an effective way to control cholera outbreaks, which can have devastating effects after disasters and in other emergency settings, according to a research study by Flavio Finger, of the École Polytechnique Fédérale Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland and Andrew Azman, of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA and colleagues, published in PLOS Medicine.
	Diabetes drug use during pregnancy linked to child's weight When women take the common diabetes medication metformin during pregnancy, it may put their children at increased risk of having obesity or overweight.
	Identifying high STI prevalence populations in sub-Saharan Africa Prevalence of curable sexually transmitted infections (STIs)- chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and trichomoniasis—among women aged 15 to 24 exceeds that of older women and similar-aged men in sub-Saharan Africa, according to research published this week in PLOS Medicine.
	Fitness tracker data can enhance biomedical research and personalized health Wearable sensors are not just useful for personal fitness tracking, but can also be used to gain new insights in several fields of biomedical research. In a research article publishing February 27 in the open access journal PLOS Biology, Weng Khong Lim and colleagues from the SingHealth Duke-NUS Institute of Precision Medicine, Singapore, and the National Heart Centre Singapore show that wearables are not only able to identify groups of volunteers with similar patterns of daily activity, but can also predict various markers of risk for cardiovascular diseases such as obesity, high blood pressure and high blood sugar.
	Microfluidic device captures, allows analysis of tumor-specific extracellular vesicles A new microfluidic device developed by investigators at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) may help realize the potential of tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) - tiny lipid particles that carry molecules through the bloodstream - as biomarkers that could monitor a tumor's response to therapy and provide detailed information to guide treatment choice. In their report published earlier this year in Nature Communications, the team from the MGH Center for Engineering in Medicine (MGH-CEM) describes how EVs captured from serum or plasma samples of patients with the dangerous brain tumor glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) provided detailed, tumor-specific genetic and molecular information.
	Researchers find protein that acts both as tumor suppressor and as driver of metastasis Writing in the February 27 online issue of Science Signaling, researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine and Moores Cancer Center describe how a signaling protein that normally suppresses tumors can be manipulated (or re-programmed) by growth factors, turning it into a driver of malignant growth and metastasis.
When treating athletes for heat stroke, 'cool first, transport second' Athletes who suffer life-threatening heat stroke should be cooled on site before they are taken to the hospital, according to an expert panel's report published in the journal Prehospital Emergency Care.
	App connects mothers with lactation experts, improve breastfeeding rates A newly developed proactive app could instantly connect breastfeeding mothers with pediatricians or lactation consultants to help collect data, monitor patients and provide consultation and support while improving breastfeeding outcomes for new mothers.
	Scientists map, track breakaway cancerous cells with metal detection Metal detection has helped mining companies strike gold and airport security identify passengers who are a potential threat. Now USC scientists have pushed its use into another realm: studying cancer.
Food insecurity screening works, but social stigma stands in its way Screening for food insecurity at the pediatrician's office can be quite effective, but fear of Child Protective Services and a complicated referral process could be barriers to food insecure families getting the help they need, a new study shows.
	New services, technologies can help with aging in place There is nothing quite as devastating for many older people as having to leave the comfort of home because of poor health or limited mobility.
	New research reports advances in measuring blood flow velocity in deep tissue In an article published in SPIE's Journal of Biomedical Optics, researchers announce new advances in measuring blood flow velocity in deep tissue. Blood flow speed is a critical element in assessing tissue functionality as well as diagnosing diseases, and photoacoustic flowmetry (PAF) is already acknowledged as a promising technique for deep tissue measurement of blood flow velocity. The new work demonstrates successful use of a handheld ultrasound probe common in clinical settings, paving the way to explore the feasibility of measuring flow in a physiologically realistic situation.
	Administration considers expanding mental health treatment Amid the outcry over the Florida school shootings, the Trump administration says it is "actively exploring" ways to help states expand inpatient mental health treatment using Medicaid funds.
	Halting the spread of cholera through a neighborhood response Using data gathered during a cholera outbreak in Chad, EPFL researchers have found that a response strategy that targets the neighborhood close to reported cases can more effectively contain the outbreak than a large-scale campaign that targets a wider district or an entire city.
	DOJ to support lawsuits against companies selling opioids The Justice Department says it will support local officials in hundreds of lawsuits against manufacturers and distributors of powerful opioid painkillers.

Biology news

	Scientists monitor crop photosynthesis, performance using invisible light Twelve-foot metal poles with long outstretched arms dot a Midwestern soybean field to monitor an invisible array of light emitted by crops. This light can reveal the plants' photosynthetic performance throughout the growing season, according to newly published research by the University of Illinois.
	5.5 million-year-old fossil turtle species sheds light on invasive modern relatives A University of Pennsylvania paleontologist has described a 5.5 million-year-old fossil species of turtle from eastern Tennessee. It represents a new species of the genus Trachemys, commonly known as sliders, which are frequently kept as pets today.
	Ecological success of community-based wildlife conservation in Tanzania Good news about the environment is rare these days, but in Tanzania there are signs that local wildlife conservation efforts can effectively protect the natural resources that provide the lion's share of revenue for the economy. Eco-tourism is Tanzania's largest economic sector and biggest dollar earner for this developing nation, but wildlife populations have suffered in recent decades from poaching and clashes with people involved in other economic activities such as farming and mining. The good news comes from a new study that found community-based wildlife conservation can quickly result in clear ecological success, with the largest and smallest species being among the winners.
	What Vikings really put in their pillows Not too many people are able to identify birds by examining a single feather. But a number of folks need to know that sort of thing, and it can actually save lives.
	Why are some mushrooms 'magic?' Study offers evolutionary explanation Psychedelic mushrooms likely developed their "magical" properties to trip up fungi-munching insects, suggests new research.
	Bonobo and chimpanzee gestures share many meanings If a bonobo and a chimpanzee were to meet face to face, they could probably understand each other's gestures. In an article publishing 27 February in the open access journal PLOS Biology, researchers from the Universities of St Andrews, York, and Kyoto have found that many of the gestures used by bonobos and chimpanzees share the same meanings.
	Scientists use forensic technology to genetically document infanticide in brown bears Scientists used a technology designed for the purposes of human forensics, to provide the first genetically documented case of infanticide in brown bears, following the murder of a female and her two cubs in Trentino, the Italian Alps, where a small re-introduced population has been genetically monitored for already 20 years.
	Brazilian study discovers six new species of silky antieaters Since the pioneering description made in 1758 by Swedish naturalist and father of taxonomy Carl Nilsson Linnaeus (1707-1778), there was officially one single silky anteater species. This short-snouted, pigmy-sized anteater would then be known for its scientific name, Cyclopes didactyla, after its inclusion in the 10th edition of Systema Naturae, Linnaeus' magnum opus. It is found in tropical forests in South and Central America, as well as in the few remaining fragments of Atlantic rainforest in Northeast Brazil.
Smallest monkey's evolutionary secret Evolutionary biologists have now discovered that the Pygmy Marmoset – the world's smallest monkey – is not one species but two.
	A bacterium that attacks burn victims will soon be unarmed The bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the main causes of infections and sepsis in people suffering from severe burns because it is difficult, if not impossible, to fight. Researchers at the University of Geneva (UNIGE), Switzerland, have succeeded in revealing the dynamics of the pathogen's physiology and metabolism during its growth in exudates, the biological fluids that seep out of burn wounds. Published in the journal Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, this study allows to follow step-by-step the strategies developed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa to proliferate and, thus, to guide the development of innovative treatments to counter them.
	Voice control: Why North Atlantic right whales change calls as they age Former Syracuse postdoctoral researcher Holly Root-Gutteridge has always been a good listener - a trait that has served her very well in her bioacoustic research of mammals, both aquatic and landlocked. Most recently her ears have tuned-in to vocal stylings of the North Atlantic right whale.
	Unpacking asymmetric cell division Stem cells are the basic material from which mature, specialised cells such as muscle and blood cells are produced—this process is known as differentiation. One way that stem cells do this without depleting themselves is through asymmetric cell division. Through asymmetric division, a stem cell produces a new stem cell and another cell that undergoes differentiation, producing a mature cell.
	Gene-editing reduces triglycerides, cholesterol by up to 50 percent Using a variation of CRISPR gene editing may be a potential strategy for mimicking the protective effects of a genetic mutation linked to lower cholesterol levels and heart disease risks, according to new mouse research from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania published this week in Circulation.
	Science: Farming for answers to human diseases in the fish farm Aquariums are arranged in neat, illuminated rows. Fins, tails and flashing stripes are visible in every direction. On the Mayo Clinic campus in Rochester, Minnesota, zebrafish act as research stand-ins for us. They are tiny heralds of solutions for patients with some of medicine's most intractable problems.
	Tobacco benefits health with new plant breeding techniques Researchers at the John Innes Centre are helping to lead a new European Union-funded project that promotes tobacco plants as organic mini factories producing vaccines and new drugs.
	Greenhouse 'conveyer belt' could advance food production, address looming global food crisis Purdue University researchers have created a greenhouse on campus featuring a new automated conveyor system that keeps plants moving constantly, a change they hope will provide answers about ways to avoid a looming food crisis with the global population expected to grow to more than 9 billion by 2050.
	Largest Chinook salmon disappearing from West Coast The largest and oldest Chinook salmon—fish also known as "kings" and prized for their exceptional size—have mostly disappeared along the West Coast.
	Tracking endangered mammals with the leeches that feed on them A broad survey conducted across southern Asia reinforces the idea that the mammal biodiversity of an area can be determined by looking at the DNA found in leeches' blood meals. The new study, led by researchers at the American Museum of Natural History, also shows for the first time that DNA found in leeches can be used to identify certain ground birds and, possibly, some bats. The research was published this month in the journal Systematics and Biodiversity.
US judge blocks weed-killer warning label in California A federal judge has blocked California from requiring that the popular weed-killer Roundup carry warning labels that it is known to cause cancer.

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