Science X Newsletter Thursday, Mar 22

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for March 22, 2018:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

In field tests, device harvests water from desert air

Early life experiences influence DNA in the adult brain

Hubble solves cosmic 'whodunit' with interstellar forensics

Bacteria eats greenhouse gas with a side of protein

Two-billion-year-old salt rock reveals rise of oxygen in ancient atmosphere

One in ten people have traces of cocaine or heroin on their fingerprints

Army's brain-like computers moving closer to cracking codes

Could a pap test spot more than just cervical cancer?

Golden touch: Next-gen optical disk to solve data storage challenge

Scientists develop tiny tooth-mounted sensors that can track what you eat

Laser-based system offers continuous monitoring of leaks from oil and gas operations

Long thought to only cause a rare disease, this mutation may ward off malaria

Being hungry shuts off perception of chronic pain

Study reveals startlingly different tissue sensitivities to cancer-driving genes

Sulfur amino acid restriction diet triggers new blood vessel formation in mice

Astronomy & Space news

	Hubble solves cosmic 'whodunit' with interstellar forensics On the outskirts of our galaxy, a cosmic tug-of-war is unfolding—and only NASA's Hubble Space Telescope can see who's winning.
	New theory to explain why planets in our solar system have different compositions A team of researchers with the University of Copenhagen and the Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz-Institut für Evolutions has come up with a new explanation regarding the difference in composition of the planets in our solar system. In their paper published in the journal Nature, they describe their study of the calcium-isotope composition of certain meteorites, Earth itself, and Mars, and use what they learned to explain how the planets could be so different. Alessandro Morbidelli with Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur in France offers a News & Views piece on the work done by the team in the same journal issue.
	Gaia status update—safe mode and recovery Last month, ESA's Gaia satellite experienced a technical anomaly followed by a 'safe mode' event. After thorough examination, the spacecraft was successfully recovered and resumed normal scientific operations, while the mission team keeps investigating the exact cause of the anomaly.
	Astronauts need extra exercise and calories in space It takes physical activity to stay heart-healthy on Earth and even more to stay healthy in space.
	Mars mission—Testing instruments in the Black Forest Meteorite impacts and geological formations: So far, exploration of Mars has focused on its surface. The "InSight" mission of NASA and European partners starting on May 5, 2018 will now concentrate on the "inner values" of the red planet: How big is its core? Is it liquid like the Earth's outer core or solid like the Earth's inner core? How thick is the crust? To study the structure of Mars, NASA, among others, uses the highly sensitive instrument package SEIS with six seismometers. The qualifying model or "sister device" of one of the seismometers is currently being tested at the Joint Geoscientific Observatory (Black Forest Observatory, BFO) in Schiltach, which is operated jointly by Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and Stuttgart University.

Technology news

	Army's brain-like computers moving closer to cracking codes U.S. Army Research Laboratory scientists have discovered a way to leverage emerging brain-like computer architectures for an age-old number-theoretic problem known as integer factorization.
	Scientists develop tiny tooth-mounted sensors that can track what you eat Monitoring in real time what happens in and around our bodies can be invaluable in the context of health care or clinical studies, but not so easy to do. That could soon change thanks to new, miniaturized sensors developed by researchers at the Tufts University School of Engineering that, when mounted directly on a tooth and communicating wirelessly with a mobile device, can transmit information on glucose, salt and alcohol intake. In research to be published soon in the journal Advanced Materials, researchers note that future adaptations of these sensors could enable the detection and recording of a wide range of nutrients, chemicals and physiological states.
	A wearable system to monitor the stomach's activity throughout the day A team of researchers has developed a wearable, non-invasive system to monitor electrical activity in the stomach over 24 hours—essentially an electrocardiogram but for the gastro-intestinal (GI) tract.
	Earwigs and the art of origami ETH Zurich researchers have developed multifunctional origami structures, which they then fabricated into 4-D printed objects. The design principle mimics the structure of an earwig's wing.
	A 15-year-old said he discovered vulnerability in hardware wallet Headlines hummed with the discovery by a 15-year-old Saleem Rashid of a vulnerability he found in Ledger hardware wallets. He blogged about in on March 20.
	Deadly crash raises questions about Uber self-driving system Video of a deadly self-driving vehicle crash in suburban Phoenix shows a pedestrian walking from a darkened area onto a street just moments before an Uber SUV strikes her.
	EU: new rules will make data breaches 'very expensive' for firms EU justice commissioner Vera Jourova warned Wednesday that data protection scandals such as that currently engulfing Facebook would become "very expensive" for companies from May under new EU regulations.
	Toyota suspends self-driving car tests after Uber death Japanese automaker Toyota said Thursday it was suspending tests of its self-driving cars so staff could "emotionally process" after an autonomous Uber car killed a pedestrian in an accident.
	YouTube follows Amazon into movie theaters YouTube has announced it is making a movie in-house to be released in theaters, in a development seen as a step towards the model of new-media innovator Amazon.
	Commonwealth Games abandons data mining after Facebook scandal A plan to mine data from Commonwealth Games visitors who use free and fast wifi in Australia was abandoned Thursday as a privacy scandal swirls around social media giant Facebook.
	Facebook, Google warn Singapore against 'fake news' law Internet giants Facebook and Google on Thursday warned Singapore against introducing new laws to combat "fake news", saying that existing legislation is adequate to address the problem.
	Electric textile lights a lamp when stretched Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a fabric that converts kinetic energy into electric power. The greater the load applied to the textile and the wetter it becomes, the more electricity it generates. The results are now published in Flexible Electronics.
	The existential case for ditching Alexa and other AI Alexa's creepy laugh is far from the most worrying thing about her. This is despite the fact that Amazon's digital assistant – which allows users to access the internet and control personal organisation tools simply by speaking to the device – has been reported to spontaneously chuckle to herself. We shouldn't be too concerned about her going rogue and turning on us either – a Terminator-style takeover by artificial intelligence doesn't seem imminent.
	Britain says Facebook must go further in data scandal Britain's culture minister said Thursday that Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg's plan to fix problems at the world's biggest social media network did not go far enough.
	US firms face tough legal battles in China IP theft It took a crucial piece of evidence for Microsoft to win one of its numerous anti-piracy lawsuits in China: A computer seller telling an investigator that he could install a Windows 7 knock-off for free.
	Stephen Hawking warned about the perils of artificial intelligence – yet AI gave him a voice The late Stephen Hawking was a major voice in the debate about how humanity can benefit from artificial intelligence. Hawking made no secret of his fears that thinking machines could one day take charge. He went as far as predicting that future developments in AI "could spell the end of the human race."
	Regulating Facebook won't prevent data breaches After revelations that political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica allegedly appropriated Facebook user data to advise Donald Trump's 2016 U.S. presidential campaign, many are calling for greater regulation of social media networks, saying a "massive data breach" has occurred.
	Combining cutting-edge materials for more efficient, sensitive gaseous sensors The human nose can distinguish among a trillion different combinations of smells. Even so, there are plenty of gases that our noses can't detect at the level of sensitivity we need. That's where gaseous sensors come in. While some of the first sensors were animals – like canaries in coal mines – we've since replaced them with technologies that can detect miniscule amounts of chemicals in the air.
	IBM demonstrates new breakthrough in AI performance IBM has demonstrated a new breakthrough in AI performance. By using machine learning on POWER9 with NVIDIA Tesla V100 GPUs, IBM technology can now predict the likelihood of a user clicking online advertisements 46x faster than previous published results.
	Opinion: It's time to claim ownership of our digital lives Kurt Cobain, former lead singer of Nirvana, famously sang "Just because you're paranoid don't mean they aren't after you." And 'after you' seems to be exactly what they are. I am referring to the tech-giants who are collecting, analysing and peddling user data, controlling the information super highways, and harvesting, bundling, and selling it off to advertisers. Their prime asset is information – our attention.
	How energy storage is starting to rewire the electricity industry The market for energy storage on the power grid is growing at a rapid clip, driven by declining prices and supportive government policies.
	Researchers find leaky apps that put privacy at risk A bug in Facebook's advertising platform made it possible for potential hackers to uncover users' phone numbers, according to a paper presented by Northeastern associate professor Alan Mislove at the the Federal Trade Commission conference PrivacyCon last month.
	Israeli firm says it can turn garbage into plastic gold Hawks, vultures and storks circle overhead as Christopher Sveen points at the heap of refuse rotting in the desert heat. "This is the mine of the future," he beams.
New robotic arm that could service satellites or pick apples developed An innovative new type of robotic arm that could be useful in outer space or in the orchards has been developed by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) researchers.
	Blockbuster antitrust trial over AT&T, Time Warner merger begins The US government faces off in court Thursday against AT&T and Time Warner in the biggest antitrust case in decades over their bid to merge and create a powerful new television behemoth.
	Can Zuckerberg's media blitz take the pressure off Facebook? In the wake of a privacy scandal involving a Trump-connected data-mining firm, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg embarked on a rare media mini-blitz in an attempt to take some of the public and political pressure off the social network.
	Experts: Uber SUV's autonomous system should have seen woman Two experts say video of a deadly crash involving a self-driving Uber vehicle shows the sport utility vehicle's laser and radar sensors should have spotted a pedestrian, and computers should have braked to avoid the crash.
	Worried about being on Facebook? Some options explained A snowballing Facebook scandal over the hijacking of personal data from millions of its users has many wondering whether it's time to restrict access to their Facebook information or even leave the social network altogether, with the #deletefacebook movement gaining traction.
Ford, Mahindra partner on small electric vehicle, some SUVs Ford and Mahindra Group are teaming up to develop a small electric vehicle and some new SUVs.
	AT&T will use Time Warner as 'weapon' if merger goes ahead: US Justice Dept Will AT&T's acquisition of Time Warner give it a "weapon" to crush pay television rivals or help it catch up with "runaway" technology giants?
	Switching gears toward efficient datacenters with photonics How can we scale-up datacenters in such a way that they can handle more data at lower cost, while consuming less energy? At Eindhoven University of Technology, Ph.D. student Gonzalo Guelbenzu developed strategies to process the same amount of data at half the energy consumption, and taking up only one quarter of the space that is currently needed.
Who or what is to blame for the misuse of data, technology or those who control it? Following Mark Zuckerberg's apology for millions of Facebook users having their data exploited, Cybersecurity expert, Dr. Daniel Dresner, writes that it isn't the technology we should be worrying about, but the people creating and using these tools instead.
	US facing off against AT&T to block merger with Time Warner The Trump administration is facing off against AT&T to block the telephone giant from absorbing Time Warner, in a case that could shape how consumers get—and how much they pay for—streaming TV and movies.
	Robotic collaboration in timber construction Digitalisation has found its way into timber construction, with entire elements already being fabricated by computer-aided systems. The raw material is cut to size by the machines, but in most cases it still has to be manually assembled to create a plane frame. In the past, this fabrication process came with many geometric restrictions.
	NIST facilitates first-ever spectrum sharing between military and public wireless users For the past three years, an important broker has had its eyes on a prime piece of property that it wants to allocate to multiple tenants to ensure maximum use. However, the "For Lease" sign isn't on some quiet suburban street, along a beachfront vista, or any physical location at all. It's posted in front of a small portion of the radiofrequency (RF) spectrum that the broker wants two "renters"—the military and the private sector—to jointly occupy for both of their wireless broadband needs.
	Telecom Italia board hangs up, dials battle for control Eight members of Telecom Italia's board of directors resigned on Thursday, triggering a re-election of the entire board as an activist investor fund has challenged the control over the company by France's Vivendi.

Medicine & Health news

	Early life experiences influence DNA in the adult brain In the perennial question of nature versus nurture, a new study suggests an intriguing connection between the two. Salk Institute scientists report in the journal Science that the type of mothering a female mouse provides her pups actually changes their DNA. The work lends support to studies about how childhood environments affect brain development in humans and could provide insights into neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression and schizophrenia.
	Could a pap test spot more than just cervical cancer? Pap tests have helped drive down rates of cervical cancer, and a new study suggests they also could be used to detect other gynecologic cancers early.
	Being hungry shuts off perception of chronic pain Pain can be valuable. Without it, we might let our hand linger on a hot stove, for example. But longer-lasting pain, such as the inflammatory pain that can arise after injury, can be debilitating and costly, preventing us from completing important tasks. In natural settings, the lethargy triggered by such pain could even hinder survival.
	Study reveals startlingly different tissue sensitivities to cancer-driving genes New research led by Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital has unmasked hundreds of cancer-driving genes and revealed that different tissue types have shockingly variable sensitivities to those genes.
Sulfur amino acid restriction diet triggers new blood vessel formation in mice Putting mice on a diet containing low amounts of the essential amino acid methionine triggered the formation of new blood vessels in skeletal muscle, according to a new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The finding adds insight to previous research showing that a methionine-restricted diet extends lifespan and healthspan, suggesting that improved vascular function may contribute to these benefits.
	Scientists pinpoint cause of vascular aging in mice We are as old as our arteries, the adage goes, so could reversing the aging of blood vessels hold the key to restoring youthful vitality?
	From signal propagation to consciousness: New findings point to a potential connection Researchers at New York University have discovered a novel mechanism through which information can be effectively transmitted across many areas in the brain—a finding that offers a potentially new way of understanding how consciousness arises.
	Boosting enzyme may help improve blood flow, fitness in elderly As people age, their blood-vessel density and blood flow decrease, which is why it's harder to maintain muscle mass after 40 and endurance in the later decades, even with exercise. This vascular decline is also one of the major causes of age-related diseases, such as frailty or hypertension. However, little is known about the underlying cause or how to stop it.
	Calorie restriction trial in humans suggests benefits for age-related disease One of the first studies to explore the effects of calorie restriction on humans showed that cutting caloric intake by 15% for 2 years slowed aging and metabolism and protected against age-related disease. The study, which will appear March 22 in the journal Cell Metabolism, found that calorie restriction decreased systemic oxidative stress, which has been tied to age-related neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, as well as cancer, diabetes, and others.
	Using simplicity for complexity—new research sheds light on the perception of motion A team of biologists has deciphered how neurons used in the perception of motion form in the brain of a fly —a finding that illustrates how complex neuronal circuits are constructed from simple developmental rules.
	Once-mysterious 'Atacama Skeleton' illuminates genetics of bone disease The skeleton, discovered in a leather pouch behind an abandoned church, was pristine: a tiny figure, just six inches long, with a cone-shaped head, 10 pairs of ribs, and bones that looked like those of an eight-year-old child. Found in the Atacama Desert of Chile and later affectionately nicknamed "Ata," the skeleton made its way onto the black market for archeological finds and then to a collector in Spain who thought it might be the remains of an extraterrestrial being.
	Flow of spinal fluid disrupted in inherited developmental disorder Scientists have pinpointed the mechanism behind hydrocephalus, an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid around the brain, in an inherited developmental disorder called Noonan syndrome.
	Focus on early stage of illness may be key to treating ALS, study suggests A new kind of genetically engineered mouse and an innovation in how to monitor those mice during research have shed new light on the early development of an inherited form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
	Metastatic lymph nodes can be the source of distant metastases in mouse models of cancer A study by Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) investigators finds that, in mouse models, cancer cells from metastatic lymph nodes can escape into the circulation by invading nodal blood vessels, leading to the development of metastases in other parts of the body. Their report appearing in the March 23 issue of Science adds evidence to the debate regarding the role of lymph node metastases in the spread of cancer.
Certain diabetes drugs may be linked to increased risk of inflammatory bowel disease Use of certain diabetes drugs, known as dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, is associated with an increased risk of inflammatory bowel disease, the digestive condition that causes stomach pain and bloating, finds a study published by The BMJ today.
	Tai chi as good as or better than aerobic exercise for managing chronic pain The ancient martial art of tai chi has similar or greater benefits than aerobic exercise for people with the chronic pain condition fibromyalgia, finds a trial published by The BMJ today.
	Millions of Americans seek and find illicit marijuana online These days, Americans shop for nearly everything online—including marijuana. That's the conclusion of a new study published today in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine led by San Diego State University Graduate School of Public Health associate research professor John W. Ayers. Millions are searching for and finding online marijuana retailers across the country, the researchers find.
	Three-in-one molecule shows promise in helping certain breast cancer patients A newly designed three-part molecule could be the one answer patients with a certain form of breast cancer are looking for, scientists report.
	Flu and pneumonia infections increase risk of having a heart attack and stroke People who have had flu or pneumonia may be six times more likely to suffer from a heart attack or stroke in the days after infection, according to new research published in the European Respiratory Journal.
Average size of breast tumors decreased following introduction of screening but is now increasing The average size of breast cancers at diagnosis decreased dramatically in the 1980s and 1990s following the introduction of screening, according to research presented at the 11th European Breast Cancer Conference.
Model created to help life insurers calculate breast cancer survivors' risk of death As early detection and treatment of breast cancer improves, more and more women are surviving the disease. However, they still face challenges, which include determining the moment when it might be reasonable to state they are "cured" of the disease, and obtaining life insurance.
	Antioxidants and amino acids could play role in the treatment of psychosis A scientific paper has revealed that some nutrients found in food may help reduce the symptoms of psychotic illness, when used in the early stages of treatment.
	Whether sustained or sporadic, exercise offers same reductions in death risk For decades, Americans have been inundated with a confusing barrage of messages about how best to counteract the health risks of sedentary lifestyles: walk 10,000 steps a day; do a seven-minute workout from a phone app; flip heavy tires in an arduous boot camp class.
	Hip hop music teaches children, parents to recognize stroke and act quickly An intervention that uses hip hop music with stroke education lyrics increased stroke awareness for economically-disadvantaged, minority children and their parents, according to new research in the American Heart Association's journal Stroke.
	Early numeracy performance of young kids linked to specific math activities at home New research links specific numerical activities undertaken by parents to certain math skills in young children. Published today in open-access journal Frontiers in Psychology, the study also finds that the more parents engage in mathematical activities with their children, the higher their early numeracy performance.
	Gut bacteria determine speed of tumor growth in pancreatic cancer The population of bacteria in the pancreas increases more than a thousand fold in patients with pancreatic cancer, and becomes dominated by species that prevent the immune system from attacking tumor cells.
	Researchers identify compound to prevent breast cancer cells from activating in brain Researchers at Houston Methodist used computer modeling to find an existing investigational drug compound for leukemia patients to treat triple negative breast cancer once it spreads to the brain.
	Does genome sequencing increase downstream costs? As genome sequencing enters the clinic, fears have arisen about its potential to motivate follow-up testing and ongoing screening that could drastically increase health care spending. But few studies have quantified the downstream costs of returning genetic information to patients, especially ostensibly healthy patients. The MedSeq Project, led by investigators at Brigham Women's Hospital, is the first randomized trial to provide whole genome sequencing to both presumably healthy patients as well as those with a known cardiology issue. As part of this pilot study, the project analyzed both the immediate costs of sequencing itself as well as downstream spending six months after genetic information was returned to physicians and their patients. The research team found that downstream costs did not significantly differ between patients who had received whole genome sequencing and those that did not. The team's findings are reported today in Genetics in Medicine, the peer-reviewed journal of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics.
	Whether the donor and recipient are male or female influences transplant rejection rates—investigators explore why Biological sex differences can have far-reaching, clinical consequences, as illustrated by organ transplant outcomes. Men and women who receive donated organs can have different rates of transplant rejection, in some cases influenced by the sex of the donor. In general, the influence of biological sex on transplant outcomes has not been rigorously studied and largely underappreciated. A new study by investigators at Brigham and Women's Hospital assesses what is currently known about the influence of biological sex differences, possible mechanisms that may explain discrepancies between rejection rates for male and female recipients and what questions remain to be explored in future studies. Their analysis is published this week in Trends in Immunology.
Breast cancer drug in first human clinical trial A University of Illinois at Chicago-developed breast cancer drug that has the potential to help women whose cancer has stopped responding to hormone therapy recently entered its first human clinical trial.
	Smart surgical robot makes light work of ear implants Patients having ear implants could have safer surgery with a hand-held robotic drill so sensitive it can drill through an eggshell and stop before reaching the membrane.
Proteins reveal new mechanisms in prostate cancer A study by the University of Tampere in Finland used protein profiling to find new prostate cancer mechanisms that are not shown by aberrations at the genomic level. Several new potential biomarkers of prostate cancer were also found.
	Stopping exercise can increase symptoms of depression Stopping exercise can result in increased depressive symptoms, according to new mental health research from the University of Adelaide.
Investigational genome editing therapy in clinical trial for Hunter syndrome This week, a 40-year-old patient was treated at UNC's Clinical and Translational Research Center (CTRC) with SB-913, an investigational genome editing therapy for individuals with mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS II), a rare lysosomal storage disorder also known as Hunter syndrome.
Surgery simulator for brain thrills neurosurgeons In recently completed practical tests at the Department of Neurosurgery at Kepler University Hospital, Linz (Austria), a highly advanced brain surgery simulator has received overwhelming approval from experienced neurosurgeons. In a unique first, the system is able to simulate complicated surgery for dangerous bulges in arteries under realistic conditions. This could offer major benefits in training neurosurgeons to perform these challenging operations. The results have been published in the international journal World Neurosurgery.
	Attacking lymphoma at the source Non-Hodgkin lymphomas are cancers that affect white blood cells of the immune system called B-lymphocytes, or B cells. Like cells in all cancers, the B cells begin to grow out of control, creating tumors in the lymph nodes, spleen or other tissues. In 2010 alone, it was estimated that non-Hodgkin lymphomas caused 210,000 deaths worldwide.
	Epidemiologist aims to sort fact from fiction on dietary supplements The world of dietary supplements can seem like the Wild West, with the dizzying vitamin alphabet lumped with a lineup of minerals that sound as if they belong in an industrial vat rather than our bodies.
	Obesity trigger identified within the human gut The key chemical for happiness and sadness, serotonin, is also a force in our body's weight gain and calorie control, and scientists say more research could reduce obesity rates.
	Building tolerance to anxiety is key to OCD symptom relief Excessive hand washing, out of a fear of contamination or germs, is one of the most common and best-known examples of obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD. Though OCD can't be "cured," symptoms can be significantly reduced through cognitive-behavioral therapy, a type of psychotherapy.
US antibiotic-resistant infection treatment costs doubled between 2002 and 2014 A new study, by researchers at the Rollins School of Public Health and Saint Louis University found that antibiotic resistance added $1,383 to the cost of treating a patient with a bacterial infection in the United States in 2014. This cost amounted to a national treatment cost of approximately $2.2 billion in that year. The study will be released ahead of print by Health Affairs.
	Vagus nerve stimulation boosts post-stroke motor skill recovery Researchers at The University of Texas at Dallas have demonstrated a method to accelerate motor skill recovery after a stroke by helping the brain reorganize itself more quickly.
	College education linked to opioid misuse among baby boomers The more educated a member of the baby boomer generation, the more likely they are to misuse prescription opioids, according to new research from the University at Buffalo.
	National survey could lead to improvements in healthcare for children A landmark national study on the standard of healthcare for children in Australia has found they receive care that is within clinical practice guideline recommendations 60 percent of the time, on average, for 17 common medical conditions.
	Children in lower social classes are up to 5kg heavier than more advantaged peers, new study finds However, in previous generations lower social class was associated with lower childhood and adolescent weight. As a result of these changes, social class inequalities in obesity emerged and widened at the end of the last century.
	AI is quicker, more effective than humans in analyzing heart scans A type of artificial intelligence known as advanced machine learning can classify essential views from heart ultrasound tests faster, more accurately and with less data than board-certified echocardiographers, according to a study led by a UC San Francisco researcher.
	Study reveals new findings on marijuana use among young men The social fabrics of their neighborhoods, including friendships and ideas about masculinity, have a powerful impact on marijuana use among young minority men, a new Yale School of Public Health study finds.
	Robots helped patients' with drug and exercise routines A pilot randomised controlled trial using robots to help people at home with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease has found that the robots helped patients take their medication, carry out exercises, and keep them company.
	Smartwatch effective in detecting atrial fibrillation Irregular heart impulses that lead to stroke can be detected with great accuracy using a smartwatch with a specially designed application, a finding that could eventually lead to new ways to screen patients for earlier treatment, according to a study by researchers at UC San Francisco.
	Back pain: we're treating it all wrong Imagine a medical condition that becomes worse the more it's treated – let's call it Malady X. Millions are spent on expensive therapies, on surgery, injections and pills, yet Malady X continues to strike down the young and the old, and especially the poor.
	Regional cooperation to combat tuberculosis Tuberculosis can be cured and could be eradicated. For this to happen, however, patients have to receive the right treatment. Researchers at the Makerere University and the University of Zurich were able to demonstrate that the levels of medication used are often too low. As a result, patients remained contagious with the dangerous disease for longer than necessary.
	Researchers examine role of fluid flow in ovarian cancer progression New research from Virginia Tech is moving physicians closer to pinpointing a predictor of ovarian cancer, which could lead to earlier diagnosis of what is know as the "silent killer."
	Scientists identify potential drug target in blood-feeding hookworms In hookworms that infect and feed on the blood of mice, scientists have discovered a key step in blood digestion that can be targeted to disrupt the parasite's development and survival. These findings, published in PLOS Pathogens by Tiffany Bouchery of Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, New Zealand, and colleagues could help pave the way to new treatments against hookworms in humans.
	Stiffness of connection influences exchange of physical cues during coordinated movements When two people coordinate their movements, such as by holding hands or moving furniture, they exchange physical cues through the objects that connect them. New research published in PLOS Computational Biology suggests that stiffer connections allow for better communication but require more effort to achieve coordination.
Mass treatment with azithromycin may decrease yaws cases in Ghana A single round of total-community treatment (TCT) with the antibiotic azithromycin applied to affected rural communities could significantly decrease yaws among the population one year later, according to study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases by Kingsley Bampoe Asiedu, of the World Health Organization (WHO) and colleagues.
	Researchers characterize unusual blood clots in leprosy patients For years, doctors have observed that some patients with leprosy develop unusual blood clots which can lead to stroke or heart attack. Now, researchers reporting in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases have for the first time characterized these blood clots, leading to a new understanding of how leprosy affects the circulatory system and potential new screening tests to predict leprosy reactions.
	Depression linked to common heart rhythm disorder Depression may increase the risk for atrial fibrillation, the most common heart rhythm disorder that can lead to blood clot formation and stroke, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association's Epidemiology and Prevention | Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health Scientific Sessions 2018, a premier global exchange of the latest advances in population based cardiovascular science for researchers and clinicians.
Women's antibiotic use linked to higher risk of death from heart disease, other causes Women who take antibiotics for long periods, especially in late adulthood, appear to have a higher risk of death from heart disease and in general, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association's Epidemiology and Prevention | Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health Scientific Sessions 2018, a premier global exchange of the latest advances in population-based cardiovascular science for researchers and clinicians.
Researchers identify way to overcome chemotherapy-resistant leukaemia AML is a highly aggressive form of blood cancer in which immature white blood cells rapidly grow out of control, restricting the production of healthy blood cells. Over 2,400 people are diagnosed with AML each year in the U.K. Intensive chemotherapy, followed by a stem cell transplant, currently offers the best chance of a long term cure. But some people are unable to tolerate this treatment, or do not respond, and many more will relapse.
	Alzheimer's patients exhibit changes in blood lipids typical of premature ageing The neurodegenerative condition Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia. A research group led by molecular biologists Fabian Dorninger and Johannes Berger at MedUni Vienna's Centre for Brain Research investigated changes in certain lipids (choline phospholipids) in the plasma of elderly people who were healthy and those suffering from Alzheimer's disease. They were able to show that normal, age-related changes in blood levels also occurred in the Alzheimer's patients but to a significantly greater extent. The study was published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.
	Asthma differences in adults and children As the winter cold season melts into seasonal spring allergies, many people may start to experience sneezing, wheezing and other breathing difficulties.
The health implications of returning to a bushfire zone Australia has a long history of bushfire disasters. The loss of almost 70 homes in Tathra, New South Wales, and 18 homes in southwest Victoria this week has again reminded us of the risks and huge personal costs of living in a fire-prone country. The risk is increasing as fires the world over are expanding in every dimension – in their timing, with extended seasons of favourable fire weather, frequency and severity.
	New research suggests staying active, within reason, is the best medicine for back pain New University of Alberta research is putting some kinks in assumptions about treating low back pain.
	Signalling study sheds light on conditions from alopecia to cancer Researchers from the University of Dundee and the Francis Crick Institute have made a significant discovery about a cellular pathway associated with developmental defects and a myriad of diseases ranging from alopecia to colorectal cancer.
	Six ways to get teenagers more active – suggested by the teens themselves The UK department of health recommends that young people (aged five to 18) should get at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day. But not enough teenagers actually do.
	Successful tests with advanced biomaterials to regenerate the sciatic nerve Researchers from the Basque Country have developed implants based on biocompatible materials that allow progress in the regeneration of peripheral nerves, responsible for connecting the organs and muscles of the body with the central nervous system. The results have been validated in a sciatic nerve model in rats, developed by the National Hospital of Paraplegics of Toledo.
	Does your DNA really change in space? Results from an important NASA experiment – in which astronaut Scott Kelly spent one year in space while his identical twin brother Mark stayed on Earth – have started to come in. Last week, a number of media outlets reported that Kelly's genome has changed by roughly 7% as a result of being in space.
	Gene-based test for urine detects, monitors bladder cancer Researchers at The Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center have developed a test for urine, gathered during a routine procedure, to detect DNA mutations identified with urothelial cancers.
	Nuts have fewer calories than previously thought Not all of nuts' calories are taken up by the human body; on some of them, the body gets a free pass, according to studies by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists.
	Researchers target immune cells to slow progression of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis New research into Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) - also known as motor neuron disease - shows that specific immune cells may help slow progression of the disease, an important step towards developing new therapies to treat patients.
	Breast symptoms at mammogram may raise future cancer risk (HealthDay)—Women with breast symptoms at a regular cancer screening are more likely to develop breast cancer before their next screening, a new study finds.
	High-flow O2 therapy feasible for infants with bronchiolitis (HealthDay)—High-flow oxygen therapy may be more effective than standard oxygen therapy in preventing care escalation among infants with bronchiolitis treated outside an intensive care unit, according to a study published in the March 22 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
	H. pylori treatment tied to lower metachronous gastric cancer risk (HealthDay)—Antibiotic treatment for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in patients who underwent endoscopic resection of early-stage gastric cancer or high-grade adenoma is associated with a reduced rate of metachronous gastric cancer, according to a study published in the March 22 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
	The top calorie-burning exercises (HealthDay)—When you're trying to lose weight, cutting calories counts. But so does burning them off with exercise.
Trouble hearing? It could increase your risk of an injury Accidental injuries are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that unintentional injuries accounted for 5 percent of all deaths in 2011 and 28 million emergency room visits in 2013. While many factors can contribute to accidental injuries, the relationship between them and certain sensory impairments, such as hearing loss, are noteworthy. Additionally, the near-universal availability of screening and treatment options for hearing loss would classify it as a preventable risk factor for accidental injuries.
	Novel genomics tool enables more accurate identification of rare mutations in cancer cells A new computational method developed by researchers at the New York Genome Center (NYGC) allows scientists to identify rare gene mutations in cancer cells with greater accuracy and sensitivity than currently available approaches.
	Probing RNA epigenetics and chromatin structures to predict drug resistance in leukemia Drug resistance is a major obstacle to effective treatment for patients with cancer and leukemia. Epigenetic modifying drugs have been proven effective for some patients with hematologic malignancies, such as myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Unfortunately, most patients treated with epigenetic modifying drugs develop resistance, resulting in therapeutic failure and eventually, patient death. The mechanisms underlying the selectivity and resistance of epigenetic modifying drugs remain largely elusive.
	How reciprocity can magnify inequality People tend to reciprocate others' actions in ways that increase disparities in wealth, according to findings published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science.
Military surgeons report 'alarming frequency' of bench press injuries While deployed in combat zones, U.S. armed forces prepare for the rigors of combat and stay in peak condition by lifting weights during intense and demanding workouts.
Sagging confidence can lead to more self-interested behaviour—or less Most of us know what it feels like to lose confidence from time to time. Your golf game went badly. You got passed over for a promotion. You're not so great with numbers, or get tongue-tied when it comes to making social small talk.
	Scientists say advanced vaccines could limit future outbreaks Novel vaccine technologies are critical to improving the public health response to infectious disease threats that continually emerge and re-emerge, according to scientists at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health. In a perspective in The Journal of the American Medical Association, the experts highlight innovations that could significantly shorten the typical decades-long vaccine development timeline.
	Nutrient-deficient diet a key Type 2 diabetes contributor for South Asians living in US Less nutritious dietary choices made by South Asians living in developed countries like the U.S. are a key contributor to the group's rising rate of Type 2 diabetes, UT Southwestern researchers report.
	Why hospital staff sympathize with patients who self-discharge Patients who discharge themselves from hospital should be viewed more positively say researchers, who discovered sympathy for their decision among hospital staff.
Study shows offspring response to maternal diet and male hormone A novel study published online in The FASEB Journal identifies sex-specific responses to maternal diet and androgen (male hormone) excess among male and female animal offspring.
AI tool promotes positive peer groups to tackle substance abuse When it comes to fighting substance abuse, research suggests the company you keep can make the difference between recovery and relapse. So, while group intervention programs can play an important role in preventing substance abuse, especially in at-risk populations such as homeless youth, they can also inadvertently expose participants to negative behaviors.
	In a severe childhood neurodegeneration, novel mechanism found Neurology researchers investigating a rare but devastating neurological regression in infants have discovered the cause: gene mutations that severely disrupt crucial functions in mitochondria, the energy-producing structures within cells. The specific disease mechanism, in which mutations disrupt a critical mitochondrial enzyme, has not previously been implicated in a human disease.
	IU-invented microscope could make surgeries more effective, disease diagnoses timelier In the not-so-distant future, surgeons could ensure the complete removal of malignant tumors, and pathologists could analyze tissue more efficiently, by using a device invented at the Indiana University School of Medicine.
	Obesity surgery linked to positive outcomes in very obese teens with diabetes While it's not news that weight loss and medication control type 2 diabetes, a secondary analysis found that bariatric surgery could potentially be an effective option for very obese adolescents with type 2 diabetes, lowering blood glucose levels, improving weight loss and returning cholesterol and blood pressure levels to normal. The study is published online by JAMA Pediatrics.
	Study finds direct evidence of exposure of pregnant women to herbicide ingredient The first birth cohort study of its kind has found more than 90 percent of a group of pregnant women in Central Indiana had detectable levels of glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, the most heavily used herbicide worldwide.
	CDC probes troubling rise in suicide among Utah teens (HealthDay)—Between 2011 and 2015, the rate of suicide for Utah's teens—mostly boys—more than doubled and greatly outpaced the national average for these tragedies, a new report finds.
	Noisy workplace may wreak havoc on your heart (HealthDay)—Loud noise at work doesn't just threaten your hearing, it might also boost your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, a new U.S. government report suggests.
	Short-term PPIs tied to higher hip fracture risk in Alzheimer's (HealthDay)—Short-term proton pump inhibitor use, but not long-term or cumulative use, is associated with an increased risk of hip fracture among Alzheimer's patients, according to a study published online March 6 in Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics.
	Home-based primary care ups access in rural areas (HealthDay)—Expanding home-based primary care (HBPC) to American Indian reservations and other rural communities increases access to long-term care and enrollment for health care benefits within the Veterans Affairs (VA) system, according to a study published online March 12 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
	Hydrochlorothiazide tied to non-melanoma skin cancer risk (HealthDay)—Use of the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide is associated with a substantially increased risk of non-melanoma skin cancer, according to a study published in the April issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
	CDC: low birthweight rate increased from 2014 to 2016 (HealthDay)—From 2014 to 2016 there was an increase in the singleton low birthweight rate, which was mainly due to increases in the rate of moderately low birthweight, according to a March data brief published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).
Study supports biomarker assay for emergency department diagnosis of acute heart failure A multi-institutional study supports the value of a biomarker to accurately diagnose or rule out acute heart failure in patients seen for shortness of breath at hospital emergency departments. The report published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology also validates the use of age-adjusted thresholds of the protein NT-proBNP to diagnose heart failure in a wide range of such patients.
Bacteria may promote pancreatic cancer by suppressing the immune system Bacterial load was significantly higher in pancreatic tumor samples from patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma compared with pancreatic tissue from normal individuals, and in studies using mice, eliminating certain "bad" bacteria slowed the growth of pancreatic cancer, reversed immune suppression, and upregulated the immune checkpoint protein PD1.
Antibiotics often inappropriately prescribed for hospitalized kids, global study suggests Nearly a third of all antibiotics prescribed for hospitalized children globally were intended to prevent potential infections rather than to treat disease, according to the results of a worldwide survey published in the Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society. A large proportion of these preventive, or prophylactic, prescriptions also were for broad-spectrum antibiotics or combinations of antibiotics, or were for prolonged periods, which can hasten the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and drug-resistant infections.
	Report shows death rates are rising in Virginia's white population Societal issues are driving an increase in death rates among Virginia's white population, according to a new report from Virginia Commonwealth University's Center on Society and Health. Stress-related conditions—including unintentional drug overdoses, suicides, alcoholic liver disease and alcohol poisonings—are killing white Virginians ages 25-54 at increasing rates.
	Administering antibiotics through the cornea The anatomic and physiologic structure of the eyes constitutes an important barrier when administering medicine. The amount of medicine that passes through the cornea via creams or drops is very limited, and it is necessary to develop alternative methods of ocular administration. Researchers at the Pharmacy Department of the CEU Cardenal Herrera University have developed a new bioadhesive ocular insert that is placed inside the eyelid and releases a larger amount of medicine through the cornea in a controlled way. They have published their results in Drug Delivery and Translational Research.
Experts address the urgent need to prevent infections in hemodialysis facilities Patients with kidney failure who are treated with hemodialysis are at substantially increased risk of life-threatening infections. A feature article and a series of Perspectives articles in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN) provide important information on infections and their prevention in patients undergoing hemodialysis. The articles are part of an initiative called Nephrologists Transforming Dialysis Safety (NTDS).
	Data gathering can't prevent a new influenza pandemic Commenting on a new BBC Four programme, Contagion, presenting the results of an on-going citizen-scientist experiment investigating how a new influenza pandemic might spread across the UK, influenza expert Dr. Jeremy Rossman of the School of Biosciences comments that while this data 'cannot be used to prevent a pandemic, it may be useful in coordinating health care responses and limiting the spread of future pandemics.
Indian rural women late in seeking breast cancer care Women in rural India are waiting too long before seeking medical care for breast cancer. Most Indian women do not know how to do breast self-exams, and many of them have not even heard of breast cancer. This is the conclusion of a new dissertation at Umeå University, Sweden.
	Shaking up newborn ambulance transportation for a brighter future The multidisciplinary team led by Professor Donal McNally, Professor of Bioengineering and Head of the Bioengineering Research Group, along with researchers from the Centre for Healthcare Technologies, has launched a three-year project to develop the Next Generation Neonatal Transport System - the first system of its kind in the world.
	Harvard scientists ask 'what is the point?' in challenge to acupuncture researchers The effectiveness of acupuncture compared to standard treatments has led to its growing inclusion in pain guidelines and in delivery organizations like the U.S. military and Veterans Administration, yet many continue to believe acupuncture lacks scientific credibility. Central to the skepticism are unanswered questions about acupuncture points. Integrative health researchers from Harvard Medical School propose a coordinated effort to develop a clear definition of acupuncture points and to carefully evaluate their "specificity" and possible biological basis, as described in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (JACM).
Study finds medical students receive little formal instruction in radiation oncology Medical school students receive little formal instruction in radiation oncology, a Loyola study has found.
University Hospitals team performs first transcatheter mitral valve replacement in Ohio University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute officially opened the APOLLO trial today implanting the Intrepid transcatheter mitral valve replacement system on the first patient involved in the study.
Home genetic tests should be interpreted by experts Results from at-home genetic tests are not always accurate. A new study in the journal Genetics in Medicine, published by Springer Nature, now shows that up to 40 percent of direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic tests provide incorrect readings in the raw data. Stephany Leigh Tandy-Connor, study leader at Ambry Genetics Corp in the US, expressed concern about the fact that most DTC test results are interpreted by medical providers with limited genetic training due to a shortage of genetic counsellors and other highly trained genetic professionals available for public consultation. Genetics in Medicine is the official journal of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics.
	Battle rhythm: Navy looking at sleep, decision-making links In the military, operational tempo is fast paced and the mission takes top priority—day or night. Such dedication, however, can cause sleep to become a lower priority and fatigue a dangerous reality.
Release of the cancer incidence and survival statistics for Northern Ireland 2012-2016 The Queen's University N. Ireland Cancer Registry (NICR) today released the number of new cancer cases diagnosed (incidence) in Northern Ireland in 2016. Legislation designating the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry (NICR) as an official producer of statistics came into place 1 April 2012. Website available at: http://www.qub.ac.uk/nicr.
Rate of hip replacement revision surgery declines in all age groups—except middle age As more patients undergo total hip arthroplasty (THA) before age 65, the rate of repeat hip surgery due to complications has risen sharply in this younger age group, reports a study in the March 21, 2018, issue of The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery.

Biology news

	Long thought to only cause a rare disease, this mutation may ward off malaria A genetic mutation that may protect people from malaria, but was thought to be rare, is surprisingly common, suggest the findings of a new study led by scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI). The discovery sheds light on how humans who live in close quarters with malaria-carrying mosquitos may evolve defenses against the disease.
	Toward precision medicine: First comprehensive look at human retinal cell diversity In work that brings researchers closer to the goal of precision medicine approaches to treating glaucoma and other neurodegenerative vision diseases, a new IUPUI study has, for the first time, been able to identify a wide variety of previously unknown cell subtypes in the human eye. The cells—called retinal ganglion cells, also known as RGCs—are the neurons that take visual information from the eye to the brain for processing and interpretation, which is how we see things.
	Keys found to bee-friendly neonics Discovery of why two of the most economically important bee species are immune to one neonicotinoid insecticide but not to others promises to yield chemical treatments that protect crops from pests without harming these essential pollinators, honeybees and bumblebees.
	Using optogenetics to program yeast to produce more isobutanol A team of researchers at Princeton University has developed a way to cause yeast to produce more isobutanol, a possible candidate for use as a biofuel. In their paper published in the journal Nature, the team describes their use of optogenetics to increase isobutanol production by yeast.
	Researchers prove complex connection between plants and what soil microbes eat Researchers at the Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) and UC Berkeley have discovered that as plants develop they craft their root microbiome, favoring microbes that consume very specific metabolites. Their study could help scientists identify ways to enhance the soil microbiome for improved carbon storage and plant productivity.
	Unique communication strategy discovered in stem cell pathway controlling plant growth A team of plant geneticists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) has identified a protein receptor on stem cells involved in plant development that can issue different instructions about how to grow depending on what peptide (protein fragment) activates it.
	Physical disability boosts parenting effort, beetles study shows Animals that carry a physical impediment can work harder to rear their young as a result, a study of insects has shown.
	Deep impact: Deep-sea wildlife more vulnerable to extinction than first thought We have only known about the existence of the unusual yeti crabs (Kiwaidae)—a family of crab-like animals whose hairy claws and bodies are reminiscent of the abominable snowman—since 2005, but already their future survival could be at risk.
	Sea lions feast on fragile fish in US Northwest survival war The 700-pound sea lion blinked in the sun, sniffed the sea air and then lazily shifted to the edge of the truck bed and plopped onto the beach below.
	Invasive beetle threatens Japan's famed cherry blossoms Across Japan's capital, delicate pink and white cherry blossoms are emerging, but the famed blooms are facing a potentially mortal enemy, experts say: an invasive foreign beetle.
	A potential drug target against a large family of parasites is identified Apicomplexa form one of the largest and most diverse groups of obligate intracellular parasites, capable of infecting almost every kind of animal. It is estimated that between 1.2 and 10 million species exist, but only about 5,000-6,000 have been identified to date. These include Plasmodium, which that causes malaria and about 440,000 deaths every year, Toxoplasma, which causes congenital disease and opportunistic infections in immunocompromised people, Babesia, which infects cattle, and others. Despite the global economic and health impact of these parasites, much of their biology is still unknown. For example, their surface is covered by glycoconjugates that are essential for their survival and infectivity, but little is known of the processes that lead to the synthesis of such molecules. In particular, one of the enzymes needed for the synthesis of important glycoconjugates had not yet been identified—the apicomplexan organisms do not have the GNA1 enzyme that fulfils this function in animals, plants and other eukaryotes.
	The environment determines Caribbean hummingbirds' vulnerability Hummingbird specialization and vulnerability are often predicted based on physical traits. Scientists have now found that this is not the case for hummingbirds on the Caribbean islands. Instead, the bird's environment is the determining factor. The new study was led by scientists from Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate, University of Copenhagen, and published today in the scientific journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
Inbred organisms are more likely to develop tumours Inbreeding could lead to increased rates of cancer, putting both humans and endangered animals at risk according to a review led by researchers at Deakin University's Centre for Integrative Ecology.
	Freeloading orchid relies on mushrooms above and below ground The non-photosynthesizing orchid species Gastrodia pubilabiata smells like rotting mushrooms or fermented fruit, and is pollinated by fruit flies who mistakenly lay their eggs in its flowers. If there are rotting mushrooms near the orchid, its pollination rate increases. As well as using mushrooms to attract insect pollinators, G. pubilabiata survives by absorbing nutrients from the fungal hyphae of mushrooms. This is the first time a plant has been discovered to depend on mushrooms both above and below ground.
	The circadian clock controls the cell cycle and tumor growth in plants Biological rhythms are ubiquitous in nature, from the beating of the heart to the rhythms of flowering plants. This rhythmicity is in some instances determined by the oscillations in the activity of cellular proteins, which mark the rhythms of the processes they control. The two main cellular oscillators are the so-called circadian clock and the cell cycle. The circadian clock is responsible for generating the oscillations of biological processes in coordination with the day and night cycle and its associated changes in light and temperature. In turn, the cell cycle is responsible for the division and growth of cells. If the cell cycle does not work properly, the effects on organisms are very dramatic The most well-known is the development of cancer. Therefore, the cell cycle must be very tightly regulated to avoid a possible malfunction.
	Scientists study spawning salmon through a riverbed lens Each year on the United Nations-designated World Water Day, March 22, people around the world consider the importance of fresh water to ecosystems and to us. On World Water Day 2018, the National Science Foundation (NSF) looks at Earth's critical zone—the realm on our planet's surface between the forest canopy and bedrock—and the role North America's West Coast rivers play in sustaining spawning salmon.
	Genetic cause of deadly skin condition afflicting bull terriers discovered In a new study published March 22nd, 2018 in PLOS Genetics, Anina Bauer of the University of Bern and a large international research team, report the discovery of a mutation that causes lethal acrodermatitis (LAD), a deadly condition that causes skin lesions on the paws and face of affected dogs.
	Why African farmers should balance pesticides with other control methods Insect pests cause almost half of the crop losses in Africa. If the continent is to feed its growing population, farmers must find ways to control them. Pests account for high losses in other developing regions too.
Why populations can't be saved by a single breeding pair Two days ago, the last male northern white rhino (Ceratotherium simum cottoni) died. His passing leaves two surviving members of his subspecies: both females who are unable to bear calves.
	Mitochondria mutation mystery solved: Random sorting helps get rid of duds You probably know about the 23 pairs of chromosomes safely stowed in your cells' nuclei. That's where the vast majority of your genes can be found. But there are 37 special genes—a very tiny fraction of the human genome—located in mitochondria, the structures inside your cells that breathe and produce energy.
Gut bacteria can mean life or death for birds In her upcoming thesis at Lund University in Sweden, biologist Elin Videvall shows that the composition of gut bacteria in birds has a major impact on whether their offspring will survive their first three months.
	Soybean genomes unmasked Approximately 340 million metric tons of soybeans are produced globally each year, with the market for soybeans worth $40 billion in the U.S. alone. Having a map of soybean genes is key for breeders, who work to develop varieties that farmers can use to help battle diseases and other environmental factors. For nearly a decade, only one soybean cultivar—"Williams 82"—had been sequenced, but MU scientists led by Henry Nguyen now have succeeded in mapping two more, giving breeders access to a broader array of soybean genes.
	Jaguars and well-managed logging concessions can coexist, say conservationists Logging activities in biodiverse forests can have a huge negative impact on wildlife, particularly large species such as big cats, but a new study proves that the Western Hemisphere's largest cat species—the jaguar (Panthera onca)—can do well in logging concessions that are properly managed, according to conservationists from the San Diego Zoo Global and the Bronx Zoo-based WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society).
Waterbirds affected by low water, high salt levels in lakes: study A recent study from researchers at the University of Montana, National Audubon Society, Oregon State University and East Cascades Audubon Society shows food sources for migratory birds decline with low water levels and high salt content in lakes.
	Hong Kong shops defy ban on trade in pangolin scales On a winding Hong Kong street where shops keep a dizzying array of dried produce, one highly valued ingredient is still being sold despite being subject to an international ban: deep-fried scales of endangered pangolins.
	Easy pets or fast dogs? The problem with labelling greyhounds Racing greyhounds suffered around 5,000 injuries last year, and more than 900 were put down. As many as 257 animals were destroyed at the trackside, another 333 were killed due to the cost of treatment or a poor prognosis, and at least 348 were destroyed because they could not be rehomed.
	A glimmer of hope for health of moose in northern US Maine hunters might be allowed to harvest more of its iconic land mammal this year because of strong survival rates.

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