Science X Newsletter Thursday, Dec 11

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for December 11, 2014:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Researchers discover new class of stem cells
- International team maps 'big bang' of bird evolution
- Genes tell story of birdsong and human speech
- Attosecond laser provides first 'movie' of fast electrons jumping band-gap of semiconductor
- Researchers develop ultrasensitive vibration monitors based on spider organs
- Study outlines basic rules for construction with a type of origami
- Mapping crocodilian genomes
- Chickens and turkeys 'closer to dinosaur ancestors' than other birds
- Ebola virus may replicate in an exotic way: Study indicates target for future drugs for measles, Ebola, RSV
- Nanoshaping method points to future manufacturing technology
- Tooth loss in birds occurred about 116 million years ago
- As gay marriage gains voter acceptance, study illuminates a possible reason
- Team discovers reasons for malaria's drug resistance
- New studies power legacy of UW-Madison research, 60 years later
- Human DNA shows traces of 40 million-year battle for survival between primate and pathogen

Astronomy & Space news

	Saturn's moons: What a difference a decade makes Almost immediately after NASA's twin Voyager spacecraft made their brief visits to Saturn in the early 1980s, scientists were hungry for more. The Voyagers had offered them only a brief glimpse of a family of new worlds—Saturn's icy moons—and the researchers were eager to spend more time among those bodies.
	Interstellar mystery solved by supercomputer simulations An interstellar mystery of why stars form has been solved thanks to the most realistic supercomputer simulations of galaxies yet made.
	Swarms of Pluto-size objects kick-up dust around adolescent Sun-like star Astronomers using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) may have detected the dusty hallmarks of an entire family of Pluto-size objects swarming around an adolescent version of our own Sun.
	Rosetta fuels debate on origin of Earth's oceans ESA's Rosetta spacecraft has found the water vapour from its target comet to be significantly different to that found on Earth. The discovery fuels the debate on the origin of our planet's oceans.
	Image: Great Lakes and Central U.S. viewed from the International Space Station From the International Space Station, Expedition 42 Commander Barry Wilmore took this photograph of the Great Lakes and central U.S. on Dec. 7, 2014, and posted it to social media.
	Orbital Sciences selects ULA's Atlas V to launch next Cygnus cargo ship to station Following the catastrophic Oct. 28 failure of an Orbital Sciences Corporation Antares rocket on a critical resupply mission to the space station for NASA, the company is seeking to quickly make up the loss to NASA by announcing the selection of the venerable Atlas V rocket built by United Launch Alliance to launch Orbital's next Cygnus cargo ship to the orbital science lab.
	The technological path to Mars Can the just-flown Orion spacecraft truly get us to Mars? NASA has been portraying the mission as part of the roadmap to the Red Planet, but there are observers who say a human landing mission is an unrealistic goal given the budget just isn't there right now in Congress.
	How strong is the gravity on Mars? The planet Mars shares numerous characteristics with our own. Both planets have roughly the same amount of land surface area, sustained polar caps, and both have a similar tilt in their rotational axes, affording each of them strong seasonal variability. Additionally, both planets present strong evidence of having undergone climate change in the past.
	Team develops solar observatory for use on suborbital manned space missions Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) is preparing to unveil a new, miniature portable solar observatory for use onboard a commercial, manned suborbital spacecraft. The SwRI Solar Instrument Pointing Platform (SSIPP) will be on exhibit at the fall meeting of the American Geophysical Union (AGU), Dec. 16-19, at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, Calif.
	High-tech CU-Boulder hardware to support experiments launching to space station The University of Colorado Boulder will fly state-of-the-art hardware on the commercial SpaceX Dragon spacecraft launching to the International Space Station (ISS) Dec. 19 to support experiments designed to better understand why the virulence of some pathogens increases in the low gravity of space.

Technology news

	Researchers develop ultrasensitive vibration monitors based on spider organs A team of researchers in South Korea has created an ultrasensitive vibration monitor that is based on the lyriform organ in wandering spider legs. In their paper published in the journal Nature, the team describes the lyriform organ, how it works and how they applied what they learned to a new monitor that could have applications in music, speech recognition and health monitoring. Peter Frazel of the Max Planck Institute explains the work in more detail in a News & Views piece in the same journal issue.
	BitTorrent embarks on web browser Project Maelstrom On a mission to make the Internet more open, a BitTorrent browser, "Project Maelstrom," is in invite-only alpha. The BitTorrent blog on Wednesday posted "an invite-only Alpha to help build the distributed web." This is to be a browser designed to power a way for web content to be published, accessed and consumed. BitTorrent, the company based in San Francisco, carries a forceful mission statement, "to build a better Internet. To work with people, industries and nations to create better ways to move information. Better ways for creators to make money. New ways for fans to engage, on their terms. Ways to sustain the stuff we share. The Internet promised us this much. And we promise to make good on it."
	App saves teachers time and offers real-time data on student comprehension of material As a teaching assistant at the MIT Sloan School of Management in 2010, Amit Maimon MBA '11 witnessed the origins of a technological phenomenon: Smartphones and tablets had started creeping into the classroom in the hands of students.
	Spanish news to vanish from Google News globally In a decision that will reverberate around the globe, Google announced Thursday it will close Google News in Spain and block reports from Spanish publishers from more than 70 Google News international editions due to a new Spanish law requiring aggregators to pay to link content.
	Two robots, one challenge, endless possibility To the theme song of "2001: A Space Odyssey," a robot with a twisty spine rolled toward Thomas Rosenbaum, the new president of the California Institute of Technology, on Oct. 24, as he stood on a stage at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.
	Security firm shows vulnerability of smartwatches to hacker attacks Security and anti-virus maker Bitdefender has released a warning to smarthphone users who use peripherals such as smartwatches—they're not as invulnerable as most people think, and in fact can be quite easily hacked. To prove their assertion, they filmed one of their engineers hacking into a smartwatch and released it onto the Internet.
	Kickstarter Project Hemingwrite offers writers a respite from Internet noise Entrepreneurs Adam Leeb and Patrick Paul had an idea—a new age typewriter that offered the comforting nostalgia of old fashioned typewriters with the connectability of modern computers, minus the distractions of current devices. They've built a prototype, and are calling it the Hemingwrite – a distraction-free digital typewriter. Also, it's now a Kickstarter Project, with the two hopefuls looking for $250,000 to further develop the idea leading perhaps to a sellable product.
	Is rider safety the real Achilles heel for Uber and Lyft? The growth of ride-hailing companies such as Uber and Lyft so far has not been hindered by limits from government regulators and campaigns by taxi cab competitors. A bigger threat to the new industry's impressive start could come from customers—if enough people stop using the services over fears that drivers aren't safe.
	eBay may slash thousands of jobs ahead of PayPal split US online retail giant eBay may slash thousands of jobs early next year as it prepares to separate from PayPal to become an independent company, The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday.
	Gift Guide: Small, smart stocking techie stuffers If you were naughty this year, you might end up with something big and boring, like a vacuum cleaner. If you were good, you might ask for one of these little high-tech gems instead.
	Hacking threatens airline safety: aviation chiefs Cyber crime is a serious threat to safety in the skies, aviation industry heavyweights said, vowing to fight the growing scourge before it causes a catastrophic incident.
	Gangnam becomes hot spot for Korean startups The uber-trendy Seoul neighborhood made famous by the "Gangnam Style" K-pop hit is known for status-conscious people, plastic surgery clinics and Ivy League prep schools. Now it's making a name as a bustling center for tech startups.
Internet trend puts users center stage Sensors that track steps, pulse, diet and more marked a wearable computing fashion trend this year as they evolve from measuring what we've done to telling us what to do.
	3-D printer in high demand at NSLS-II It looks like a coffee dispenser. But the nondescript grey box tucked against a wall in Bldg. 743 is actually a 3D printer. It's in high demand by scientists and engineers building beamlines for the National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II).
	New energy innovation report highlights central role of emerging economies Innovation in clean energy technologies is a truly global phenomenon, and the most active efforts to develop next-generation technologies are in rapidly industrializing countries, where energy demand is high and deployment opportunities are abundant.
	AI is different because it lets machines weld the emotional with the physical The human race has long designed and used tools to help us solve problems, from flint axes to space shuttles. They affect our lives and shape society in expected and sometimes unexpected ways. We may understand how these tools work – after all, we built them – but sometimes it's the use they're put to that surprises.
	Forced negotiations and industry codes won't stop illegal downloads Attorney-General George Brandis and Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced yesterday that they expect internet service providers (ISPs) to work with copyright owners to help police infringement.
	Virtual lab advances DOD's ability to test critical microelectronics Under the auspices of DARPA's Integrity and Reliability of Integrated Circuits program, researchers from the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) and Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) are collaborating in powerful new ways to determine the reliability and integrity of microchips embedded in the some of the nation's most critical military weapon and cyber systems.
	Microsoft lets US shoppers pay with Bitcoin Microsoft began Thursday letting US shoppers at its online Windows Store pay with digital currency Bitcoin.
Survey shows Internet's broadening political role Would-be 2016 presidential candidates take note: the Internet may potentially make or break your campaign.
	Amazon wins breakthrough nods at Golden Globes Online retail giant Amazon scored its first ever Golden Globe nominations Thursday—a breakthrough in its bid to catch up with streaming pioneer Netflix.
High-speed Internet on its way to more schools The Federal Communications Commission agreed Thursday to dramatically boost spending to bring high-speed Internet access to schools and libraries in poor or rural areas, a move that would likely increase Americans' phone bills by about $2 a year.
	Sony says sorry to Obama, amid leaked emails storm Beleaguered studio Sony Pictures apologized Thursday for racially insensitive remarks about President Barack Obama in company emails, the latest in a series of leaks that have left Hollywood reeling.
	Apple sold by Jobs fetches $365,000 at auction A 1976 Apple computer sold by Steve Jobs from his parents' garage fetched $365,000 at auction in New York on Thursday, falling short of its pre-sale estimate in a competitive computer relic market.
Web inventor says Internet should be 'human right' The computer scientist credited with inventing the World Wide Web says affordable access to the Internet should be recognized as a human right, as a report showed that billions of people still cannot go online and government surveillance and censorship are increasing.
Labor board OKs personal use of company e-mail In a victory for unions, the National Labor Relations Board ruled Thursday that employees can use their company email accounts for union organizing and other workplace-related purposes, if they do it on their own time.
Chinese dating app CEO accused of theft ahead of IPO A day ahead of its IPO a popular Chinese dating app backed by Internet giant Alibaba was on Thursday facing accusations by its CEO's previous employer that he stole technology and abused his position.
China's Xiaomi stopped from selling handsets in India Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi Inc. has been barred by an Indian court from selling its handsets in the country for allegedly infringing mobile phone technology patented by Ericsson.
	Tidal turbine success signals buoyant future for marine-based energy A scaled down floating tidal turbine has been successfully put to sea off the Orkney Islands in Scotland, an achievement that represents a significant milestone in the development of a viable European marine-based energy sector. This pilot scheme will enable researchers to better understand the maintenance needs of offshore turbines and gain operational experience at sea.
	First fully programmable ISO 15693-compliant 13.56 MHz sensor transponder Texas Instruments today announced the industry's first flexible high frequency 13.56 MHz sensor transponder family. The highly integrated ultra-low-power RF430FRL15xH system-on-chip (SoC) family combines an ISO 15693-compliant Near Field Communication (NFC) interface with a programmable microcontroller (MCU), non-volatile FRAM, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and SPI or I2C interface. The dual-interface RF430FRL15xH NFC sensor transponder is optimized for use in fully passive (battery-less) or semi-active modes to achieve extended battery life in a wide range of consumer wearables, industrial, medical and asset tracking applications.
	High-performance FRAM with integrated counter function slashes energy consumption Fujitsu Semiconductor America today announced the release of MB85RDP16LX, an ultra-low-power FRAM device with an integrated binary counter function.
	'Driving while black' apps give tips for police stops A "Driving While Black" smartphone application is set for release this month, but its developers say motorists should be careful when they use it.

Medicine & Health news

	'Placebo therapy' ineffective for long-term chronic pain relief Scientists at the University of Liverpool have shown that 'placebo therapy' could be effective for short-term pain relief in patients with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), but does not have a lasting impact.
	Herpes virus rearranges telomeres to improve viral replication A team of scientists, led by researchers at The Wistar Institute, has found that an infection with herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) causes rearrangements in telomeres, small stretches of DNA that serve as protective ends to chromosomes. The findings, which will be published in the Dec. 24 edition of the journal Cell Reports, show that this manipulation of telomeres may explain how viruses like herpes are able to successfully replicate while also revealing more about the protective role that telomeres play against other viruses.
Roller coaster rides trigger pediatric stroke Riding a couple roller coasters at an amusement park appears to have triggered an unusual stroke in a 4-year-old boy, according to a report in the journal Pediatric Neurology.
	Team discovers reasons for malaria's drug resistance Scientists from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) have discovered exactly how the malaria parasite is developing resistance towards the most important front-line drugs used to treat the disease.
	Cause of malaria drug resistance in SE Asia identified Growing resistance to malaria drugs in Southeast Asia is caused by a single mutated gene inside the disease-causing Plasmodium falciparum parasite, according to a study led by David Fidock, PhD, professor of microbiology & immunology and of medical sciences (in medicine) at Columbia University Medical Center.
	A key human gene modifies the immune response to flu vaccine How much protection the annual flu shot provides depends on how well the vaccine (which is designed based on a "best guess" for next season's flu strain) matches the actually circulating virus. However, it also depends on the strength of the immune response elicited by the vaccine. A study published on December 11th in PLOS Pathogens reports that genetic variants in a gene called IL-28B influence influenza vaccine responses.
Why are magazines in practice waiting rooms mainly old? Ever wondered why general practice waiting rooms contain mainly old magazines? Could it be that practice staff put out only old magazines or do they put out reasonably recent ones and these disappear?
Scientists create food ingredient that will make you feel fuller Scientists have developed an ingredient that can be added to foods to make them more filling.
Midriff bulge linked to heightened risk of sudden, often fatal, heart malfunction A persistent midriff bulge, otherwise known as central obesity, is linked to a heightened risk of a sudden, and often fatal, malfunction of the heart's electrical circuitry, suggests research published online in the journal Heart.
Added sugars likely to have greater role than salt in high blood pressure and heart disease Added sugars in processed foods are likely to have a greater role in high blood pressure and heart disease and stroke, than added salt, say doctors in an analysis of the published evidence in the online journal Open Heart.
Higher rate of asthma seen in toddlers who share a bed with their parents New research suggests that toddlers who share a bed with their parents might have an increased risk of asthma in later childhood.
	Poor semen quality linked to hypertension, other health problems, study finds A study of more than 9,000 men with fertility problems has revealed a correlation between the number of different defects in a man's semen and the likelihood that the man has other health problems.
Nighttime gout attack risk more than two times higher than in the daytime Novel research reveals that the risk of acute gout attacks is more than two times higher during the night or early morning hours than it is in the daytime. The study published in Arthritis & Rheumatology, a journal of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), confirms that nocturnal attacks persist even among those who did not consume alcohol and had a low amount of purine intake during the 24 hours prior to the gout attack.
One in six Ontario adults say they have had a traumatic brain injury in their lifetime Nearly seventeen per cent of adults surveyed in Ontario said they have suffered a traumatic brain injury that left them unconscious for five minutes or required them to be hospitalized overnight, according to new research. These same adults also reported more substance use, smoking and recent psychiatric distress.
Human exposure to metal cadmium may accelerate cellular aging A new study led by a researcher at Milken Institute School of Public Health (Milken Institute SPH) at the George Washington University looks at the metal cadmium and finds that higher human exposure can lead to significantly shorter telomeres, bits of DNA at the ends of chromosomes that are associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other diseases of old age. The study, which was published online today in the American Journal of Epidemiology, is the largest-ever to look at cadmium exposure and telomeres.
Early identification of modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline Signs of cognitive decline related to aging populations, and even the severe cognitive losses seen in Alzheimer's disease and neurodegenerative disorders, may emerge many years earlier, according to a report presented today at the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology annual meeting in Phoenix (Arizona). The study suggests that early signs of cognitive decline are already present for some individuals during midlife, and that they are linked with risk factors such as elevated blood pressure. It is possible that if these risk factors are identified and modified early on, it will be possible to help detect and prevent the progression of cognitive deficits later in life.
	Short sleep duration and sleep-related breathing problems increase obesity risk in kids Sleep-related breathing problems and chronic lack of sleep may each double the risk of a child becoming obese by age 15, according to new research from Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University. The good news is that both sleep problems can be corrected. The study, which followed nearly 2,000 children for 15 years, published online today in The Journal of Pediatrics.
	Six-week antibiotic tx effective for diabetic foot osteomyelitis (HealthDay)—For patients with diabetic foot osteomyelitis (DFO), six weeks of antibiotic therapy seems as effective as 12 weeks of treatment, according to a study published online Nov. 20 in Diabetes Care.
	Statins not tied to male gonadal, sexual dysfunction (HealthDay)—Statins do not appear to affect male gonadal and sexual function, according to a study published online Nov. 25 in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.
	Exercise eases arthralgia caused by aromatase inhibitors (HealthDay)—Exercise helps relieve aromatase inhibitor (AI)-induced pain in breast cancer survivors, according to research published online Dec. 1 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
	Innovative software improves chronic rheumatic disease care (HealthDay)—For patients with chronic rheumatic disease, innovative software that aggregates, stores, and displays information can improve quality of care, according to research published online Nov. 24 in Arthritis Care & Research.
	Spending cuts may have mixed effects on stroke outcomes (HealthDay)—The long-term effects of fee-for-service (FFS)-based reimbursement cuts on processes and outcomes of care for stroke may be mixed, according to research published online Dec. 9 in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.
	SABCS: Novel breast CA drugs show promise in early trials (HealthDay)—Two preliminary studies into medications under development may offer some hope for women with advanced breast cancer. The findings are scheduled for presentation Wednesday at the annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, held from Dec. 9 to 13 in San Antonio.
	42.9 million Americans have unpaid medical bills Nearly 20 percent of U.S. consumers—42.9 million people—have unpaid medical debts, according to a new report by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Study finds over-treatment for prostate cancer patients with life expectancies of fewer than 10 years National guidelines recommend that men with low- and intermediate-risk prostate cancer who have life expectancies of fewer than 10 years should not be treated with radiation or surgery, since they are unlikely to live long enough to benefit from treatment. Yet a new study by UCLA researchers found that more than half of such men are receiving these aggressive treatments putting them at risk for potentially debilitating side effects.
	New technology improves prostate cancer biopsies The goal is not to find every prostate cancer – it's to find aggressive prostate cancer that may impact a man's survival.
	In measuring teen nicotine use, public health agencies often rely on data that are too crude When it comes to measuring teen smoking trends, many public health agencies rely too heavily on reports of monthly cigarette use, a broad statistic that makes it difficult to draw conclusions about current habits and historical changes in behavior, according to a new study.
	A new way to diagnose brain damage from concussions, strokes and dementia New optical diagnostic technology developed at Tufts University School of Engineering promises new ways to identify and monitor brain damage resulting from traumatic injury, stroke or vascular dementia—in real time and without invasive procedures.
	Smoothing the path to an independent life for people with cognitive deficits Virtual reality is a powerful tool to simulate real-life environments and situations. Scientists from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University are exploring the medium as a way to help people with cognitive limitations overcome difficulties in life. Among the many kinds of disabilities, cognitive deficits may bring more hindrance to a person's life than others. For examples, dementia affects a patient's ability to do basic tasks such as grocery shopping or travelling to a specific place, while the slow responses related to mental disorders make it difficult for a sufferer to get hired.
	High fibre diet improves lung health in smokers A diet high in fibre helps reduce harmful inflammation in the lungs of smokers, according to researchers from the University of Auckland.
Older people moderate with alcohol Most people in advanced age don't drink alcohol or only drink alcohol moderately, according to recent research from the University of Auckland.
Many falls in advanced age result in hospital admission More than a third of people in advanced age had a fall in the last 12 months, and of those 20 percent needed hospitalisation, according to research from the University of Auckland.
	Masculine features support 'extreme male brain' theory of autism spectrum disorder Recent research from Bangor University has revealed a new spin to a long-standing theory of autistic spectrum disorder (ASD).
Drugs used for impotence could treat vascular dementia? Scientists are to explore whether drugs usually used to treat erectile problems by expanding blood vessels could become the next major way to tackle the dementia epidemic.
	Better data reporting will prevent sports injuries and deaths Australia is a sporting nation and the tragic death of batsman Phil Hughes is still very much in the hearts and minds of fans and players alike.
	Study finds melanoma and prostate cancer a risk for firefighters Firefighters are at greater risk of developing some cancers, compared to the Australian public, a study has found.
	Four reasons I won't have a prostate cancer blood test Cancer Council Australia and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia yesterday released new draft guidelines to help GPs counsel men who ask about prostate cancer tests. They advise GPs to explain the pros and cons of testing and, if the man wants to proceed, to give him a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test every two years between the ages of 50 to 69.
	Study finds the mere presence of alcohol is enough to make women appear more sexually available With office Christmas party season in full swing a new Deakin University study provides a timely reminder of the role alcohol plays in unwanted sexual advances.
	The growing trend of parents who entertain young children with touchscreen devices While laptop and PC keys and mouses have been too difficult for children under six to negotiate, they can now turn on their parents' touch screen devices, then touch and swipe their way to their favourite apps.
Researchers identify method to assess UTI risk after pelvic-floor surgery Researchers at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine may have identified a way to assess who is at risk for developing a urinary tract infection (UTI) following pelvic-floor surgery. These findings were reported in the latest issue of PLOS ONE.
Tips on how to avoid holiday heartburn from a gastroenterologist President Obama's recent diagnosis of acid reflux is prompting wide awareness of an ailment that is especially prevalent at this time of year. Fortunately, acid reflux and its complications can be avoided, as a Loyola gastroenterologist explains.
Study establishes connection between gut microbiota and Parkinson's disease Parkinson's disease sufferers have a different microbiota in their intestines than their healthy counterparts, according to a study conducted at the University of Helsinki and the Helsinki University Central Hospital. Researchers are now trying to determine what the connection between intestinal microbes and Parkinson's disease is.
Air quality and its impact on transplants As Civil and Environmental Engineering Professor Jamie Schauer travels around the world studying air pollution, he tenaciously reminds people that pollution is a human health issue. That is especially crucial when it comes to particulate matter, an airborne mix of microscopic solid particles and liquids that can arise from any number of sources. Particulate matter varies widely from place to place, and so do its potential health effects.
	Drug shortage crisis puts public health at risk Hospitals and pharmacies around the country are facing severe shortages of essential drugs. These shortages can limit access to critical medications and compromise patient safety, resulting in serious illness and even death. In a 2011 survey, the American Hospital Association reported that 82% of hospitals had to delay therapy due to a drug shortage. And the consequences of drugs shortages go beyond delays. A 2010 report by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices implicated drug shortages in medication errors, adverse drug reactions and several deaths.
	Body's cold 'sensor' could hold key for frostbite and hypothermia treatments A cold 'sensor' which triggers the skin's vascular response to the cold could represent an exciting new therapeutic target for the treatment of frostbite and hypothermia, according to scientists at King's College London.
	New evidence reveals tamoxifen reduces breast cancer rates by nearly a third for 20 years The preventive effect of breast cancer drug 'tamoxifen' remains virtually constant for at least 20 years - with rates reduced by around 30 per cent - new analysis published in The Lancet Oncology reveals.
Ebola vaccine trial suspended after side effects Swiss researchers have suspended the testing of one of the leading Ebola vaccine candidates after some volunteers reported unexpected side effects.
Alliance set to buy millions of Ebola vaccine doses A major vaccine alliance said Thursday it planned to purchase millions of Ebola vaccine doses as soon as a safe and effective one is found.
College students believe hookah safer alternative to cigarette smoking Despite emerging evidence otherwise, many college students consider hookah smoking safer than smoking cigarettes, reports a University of South Florida (USF) College of Public Health study published this month by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Three San Antonio studies target androgen in breast cancer Three studies presented by University of Colorado Cancer Center researchers at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2014 demonstrate the effects of blocking androgen receptors in breast cancer. One shows that, counterintuitively, blocking the action of androgen receptors reduces the growth of estrogen-positive (ER+) breast cancers. The second study found that even triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs), which are without known hormone drivers and carry the poorest prognosis, are dependent on androgen receptor activation. And the third study finds that targeting androgen receptors along with known cancer drivers HER2 or mTOR has a synergistic effect in which more cancer cells are killed by the combination than the sum of the cells killed by both drugs, combined.
Early adoption of robotic surgery leads to organ preservation for kidney cancer patients Patients with operable kidney cancers were more likely to have a partial nephrectomy—the recommended treatment for localized tumors—when treated in hospitals that were early adopters of robotic surgery, according to a new study.
	Getting antibodies into shape to fight cancer Scientists at the University of Southampton have found that the precise shape of an antibody makes a big difference to how it can stimulate the body's immune system to fight cancer, paving the way for much more effective treatments.
	Senescent cells play an essential role in wound healing Senescent cells have a bad-guy reputation when it comes to aging. While cellular senescence - a process whereby cells permanently lose the ability to divide when they are stressed - suppresses cancer by halting the growth of premalignant cells, it is also suspected of driving the aging process. Senescent cells, which accumulate over time, release a continual cascade of inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, growth factors and proteases. It is a process that sets up the surrounding tissue for a host of maladies including arthritis, atherosclerosis and late life cancer.
New targeted drugs could treat drug-resistant skin cancer Clinical trials to test the new drugs in patients should begin as early as 2015.
	Energy efficient homes linked to asthma The drive for energy efficient homes could increase asthma risks, according to new research.
Team develops tool to better classify tumor cells for personalized cancer treatments A new statistical model developed by a research team at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) may enable physicians to create personalized cancer treatments for patients based on the specific genetic mutations found in their tumors.
Many US workers are sacrificing sleep for work hours, long commutes A new study shows that paid work time is the primary waking activity exchanged for sleep and suggests that chronic sleep loss potentially could be prevented by strategies that make work start times more flexible.
Study sheds new light on relationship between personality and health Researchers have found new evidence that explains how some aspects of our personality may affect our health and wellbeing, supporting long-observed associations between aspects of human character, physical health and longevity.
	Decoding fat cells: Discovery may explain why we gain weight University of Rochester researchers believe they're on track to solve the mystery of weight gain - and it has nothing to do with indulging in holiday eggnog.
	Research raises consciousness for dehydration concerns in diabetic patients Some drugs used to treat diabetes mimic the behavior of a hormone that a University at Buffalo psychologist has learned controls fluid intake in subjects. The finding creates new awareness for diabetics who, by the nature of their disease, are already at risk for dehydration.
	Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus unlikely to reach epidemic status, research says Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is an emerging virus, with the first case reported in 2012. It exhibits a 40% fatality rate and over 97% of the cases have occurred in the Middle East. In three new studies in the current issue of the International Journal of Infectious Disease, researchers reported on clinical outcomes in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), how long patients will shed virus during their infections, and how the Sultanate of Oman is dealing with cases that have appeared there. An editorial in the same issue discusses how the relatively high percentage of infections has been hospital-acquired, which reduces the possibility that MERS-CoV will reach pandemic or even epidemic status.
Youngest bone marrow transplant patients at higher risk of cognitive decline Toddlers who undergo total body irradiation in preparation for bone marrow transplantation are at higher risk for a decline in IQ and may be candidates for stepped up interventions to preserve intellectual functioning, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital investigators reported. The findings appear in the current issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Blood lipid metabolites allow early identification of cardiovascular disease New circulating metabolites might allow early diagnosis of cardiovascular disease. A team of scientists from Uppsala University, Karolinska Institutet and Colorado State University have identified novel lipid-derived molecules associated with future coronary heart disease events. The study published in the journal PLOS Genetics has examined the metabolic profile of blood samples from more than 3,600 individuals that have been followed-up for up to 10 years.
Scientists define important gene interaction that drives aggressive brain cancer Targeted therapies are a growing and groundbreaking field in cancer care in which drugs or other substances are designed to interfere with genes or molecules that control the growth and survival of cancer cells. Now, scientists at Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center and VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM) have identified a novel interaction between a microRNA and a gene that could lead to new therapies for the most common and deadly form of brain tumor, malignant glioma.
Hepatitis C ruled out as cause of mental impairment in HIV patients Advances in treatment for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have made it possible for people with HIV to survive much longer. As they age, however, many experience impaired thinking, memory loss, mood swings and other evidence of impaired mental function.
	California battles whooping cough epidemic (Update) California officials are battling the worst whopping cough epidemic to hit the state in seven decades as a recent rebound in cases raises questions about the effectiveness of the pertussis vaccine.
	Memory lapses among highly educated may signal higher stroke risk People with a high level of education who complain about memory lapses have a higher risk for stroke, according to new research in the American Heart Association journal Stroke.
Rates of intracerebral haemorrhage in Australia appear to be falling Stroke is Australia's second biggest killer after coronary heart disease, but rates of a common type of stroke, intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH), appear to be falling, according to a UNSW study that is the largest of its kind in Australia.
Drug may help prevent bone fractures in patients on dialysis A drug that mimics calcium and lowers parathyroid levels may help prevent bone fractures in patients with kidney failure who are on dialysis, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN).
	Many americans still haven't gotten a flu shot (HealthDay)—Fewer than half of Americans have gotten a flu shot so far this flu season, which might be a bad sign for a season that could be potentially severe, infectious-disease experts said Thursday.
	Almost all US teens are sleep deprived, study finds More than 90 percent of American high school students are chronically sleep-deprived, putting their health and academic performance in jeopardy, a new report finds.
	More young adults getting preventive care after Obamacare, study finds (HealthDay)—More young adults are using certain types of preventive care since the Affordable Care Act, sometimes called "Obamacare," went into effect in the United States, according to a new study.
	The pill remains most common method of birth control, US report shows (HealthDay)—The pill remains one of the most popular methods of birth control for women, along with female sterilization and condoms, a new report shows.
	Adverse outcomes up with elevated HbA1c in late pregnancy (HealthDay)—Elevated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) during the second and third trimesters correlates with increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, according to a study published online Nov. 3 in Diabetes Care.
	Nutrition, weight loss key in mobility-impaired adults (HealthDay)—Nutrition and weight loss research is needed in adults with mobility-impairing conditions, according to a review published in the December issue of Obesity Reviews.
	Dietary intake tool validated for renal patients with low literacy (HealthDay)—A renal food frequency questionnaire (RFF) is a valid and reliable tool for patients with limited literacy, according to a study published online Dec. 6 in the Journal of Renal Care.
	Researchers estimate number of nevi biopsied in US children (HealthDay)—During 2009 through 2013, there were an estimated 2,007,423 biopsies of nevi among children in the United States, according to a research letter published online Dec. 10 in JAMA Dermatology.
	Increased insulin resistance in rheumatoid arthritis (HealthDay)—Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have elevated insulin resistance (IR), but this is not associated with increased atherosclerosis risk, according to a study published online Dec. 10 in Arthritis & Rheumatology.
Low income kids eat more fruits and vegetables when they are in school The fruits and vegetables provided at school deliver an important dietary boost to low income adolescents, according to Meghan Longacre, PhD and Madeline Dalton, PhD of Dartmouth Hitchcock's Norris Cotton Cancer Center and The Hood Center for Children and Families. In a study released in Preventive Medicine, Longacre and Dalton found that fruit and vegetable intake was higher among low income adolescents on days when they consumed meals at school compared to days when low income adolescent were not in school. The opposite was true for high income adolescents who consumed fewer fruits and vegetables when school was in session, compared to summer months. While in school, all students consumed fruits and vegetables with similar frequency regardless of income level.
	Weighing in on the role of mindfulness in slimming down If dieting is on your New Year agenda, it might pay to be mindful of a study suggesting there is little hard evidence that mindfulness leads to weight loss.
Bird flu outbreak spreads in Canada Canada expanded its quarantine of poultry farms in westernmost British Columbia province Thursday after learning that an outbreak of avian influenza has spread.
	Scientists find way to boost healthy cells during chemo It's well known that chemotherapy helps fight cancer. It's also known that it wreaks havoc on normal, healthy cells.
	Geospatial study identifies hotspots in deaths from HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C in Massachusetts A new study from epidemiologists at Tufts University School of Medicine helps to identify communities with the greatest public health need in Massachusetts for resources relating to HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C. The study, published today in PLOS ONE, used geospatial techniques to identify hotspots for deaths related to HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C. The findings show large disparities in death rates exist across race and ethnicity in Massachusetts.
An important study for Parkinson's disease: Researchers uncover mechanism regulating dopamine levels in the brain Researchers in Montréal led by Jacques Drouin, D.Sc., uncovered a mechanism regulating dopamine levels in the brain by working on a mouse model of late onset Parkinson's disease. The study, conducted in collaboration with Dr. Rory A. Fisher from the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, is published online today by the scientific journal PLoS Genetics.
	Obese children's brains more responsive to sugar A new study led by researchers at University of California, San Diego School of Medicine finds that the brains of obese children literally light up differently when tasting sugar.
New study into life-threatening pregnancy condition calls for specialist centers A new study has revealed key steps for hospitals to improve care for pregnant mums and babies affected by a life-threatening condition.
	New how-to multimedia videos to increase hearing aid use New hearing aid users who struggle to make the most of their device are to be offered help in the form of an educational programme.
UK on verge of steep lung disease rise in young adults - due to heavy spliff smoking? The UK needs to be prepared for a steep rise in the number of young adults affected by a severe form of lung disease due to their regular cannabis and tobacco use - lung specialists will tell the British Thoracic Society Winter Meeting on Wednesday 3rd December.
Cocaine consumption quadruples the risk of sudden death in people between 19 and 49 A joint piece of research conducted by the UPV/EHU, the Basque Institute of Forensic Medicine, and the Biomedical Research Centre Network into Mental Health (CIBERSAM) of the Carlos III Institute of Health links, for the first time, the increase in sudden cardiovascular death with the recent consumption of cocaine. In people in the 19-49 age bracket this risk is quadrupled. In fact, cocaine consumption doubles the risk of death of cardiovascular origin that can be attributed to smoking, and becomes the main risk factor among subjects under 50.
Research aims to improve hip and knee replacement success Washington State University researchers are working to improve materials used in hip and knee replacements so that they last longer and allow patients to quickly get back on their feet after surgery.
Red Cross urges Ebola vigilance before Christmas The Red Cross on Thursday urged vigilance against a possible spread of the Ebola virus as holiday travel picks up for the Christmas season in west Africa.
Ebola vaccine trial interruption 'not a setback': WHO The suspension of trials in Switzerland of an experimental Ebola vaccine over unexpected side-effects is not a setback in the fight against the deadly virus, the World Health Organization insisted Thursday.
	Can a biomarker in the blood predict head fracture after traumatic brain injury? In cases of traumatic brain injury (TBI), predicting the likelihood of a cranial lesion and determining the need for head computed tomography (CT) can be aided by measuring markers of bone injury in the blood. The results of a new study comparing the usefulness of two biomarkers released into the blood following a TBI are presented in Journal of Neurotrauma.
Diagnostic tool Oncotype DX associated with reduction in chemotherapy rates post-surgery in younger patients In what's believed to be one of the largest population-based studies of Oncotype DX ever conducted, researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have found that the commercial diagnostic tool, Oncotype DX, was associated with a decrease in chemotherapy use in younger patients, but not in those over 66 years of age.
Scientists closing in on an new type of vaccine When we acquire diarrhea on a vacation, it is often caused by a bacterial infection. Now a Danish research team is working on a new type of vaccine design targeting the disease causing bacterium - if it works it may very well revolutionize not only the prevention of this disease, but also offer protection against other pathogens with a heavy disease burden such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
UN says several months needed to control Ebola The U.N. Ebola chief said Thursday it will take several more months before the outbreak in West Africa is under control, an assessment that makes clear the World Health Organization's goal of isolating 100 percent of Ebola cases by Jan. 1 won't be met.
Saudi king grants $35 mn for Ebola fight Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah has granted $35 million to fight Ebola in an effort to slow a death toll which has reached nearly 6,400, the Islamic Development Bank said Thursday.
Egypt reports eighth bird flu death this year Health authorities in Egypt on Thursday reported the country's eighth death this year from bird flu.
Timing of test, surgery, insurance examined in sleep-disordered-breathing cases Children with public insurance waited longer after initial evaluation for sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) to undergo polysomnography (PSG, the gold standard diagnostic test) and also waited longer after PSG to have surgery to treat the condition with adenotonsillectomy (AT) compared with children who were privately insured, according to a report published online by JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.
US nurse exposed to Ebola monitored in DC area An American nurse who was exposed to the Ebola virus while volunteering in Sierra Leone has been admitted the National Institutes of Health near Washington, D.C.
Oregon GMO labeling proponents concede defeat Proponents of an Oregon ballot measure requiring labels on genetically modified foods conceded defeat Thursday after a judge ruled against them and an automatic recount appeared unlikely to sway the outcome.
New UN Ebola mission chief named UN chief Ban Ki-moon on Thursday appointed a Mauritanian national to head the UN Ebola mission set up two months ago to combat the world's worst outbreak of the virus.
	How is Michigan's new Healthy Michigan Plan working? New five-year study will find out Since its launch in April, 481,863 Michiganders have signed up for a new Medicaid health insurance option offered by the state, called the Healthy Michigan Plan. Now, University of Michigan researchers will study how well the new plan works, and advise the state government on how well it's living up to what lawmakers intended.

Biology news

	Researchers discover new class of stem cells Researchers have identified a new class of lab-engineered stem cells-cells capable of transforming into nearly all forms of tissue-and have dubbed them F-class cells because they cluster together in "fuzzy-looking" colonies.
	Genes tell story of birdsong and human speech His office is filled with all sorts of bird books, but Duke neuroscientist Erich Jarvis didn't become an expert on the avian family tree because of any particular interest in our feathered friends. Rather, it was his fascination with how the human brain understands and reproduces speech that brought him to the birds.
	International team maps 'big bang' of bird evolution The genomes of modern birds tell a story of how they emerged and evolved after the mass extinction that wiped out dinosaurs and almost everything else 66 million years ago. That story is now coming to light, thanks to an ambitious international collaboration that has been underway for four years.
	Mechanical cues reprogram normal cell lines into stem-like cells Scientists at the University at Buffalo and other institutions have turned cells normally used as model cells, known as immortalized cells, into stem or, as they call it, "stem-like" cells, using nothing more than mechanical stress. They have done it without employing the potentially hazardous techniques previously used to obtain similar results.
	Trawling makes for skinny flatfish Trawling the seabed doesn't just remove some of the fishes living there; it also makes some of the survivors thinner and less healthy by forcing them to use more energy finding less nutritious food.
	The story of a bizarre deep-sea bone worm takes an unexpected twist The saga of the Osedax "bone-eating" worms began 12 years ago, with the first discovery of these deep-sea creatures that feast on the bones of dead animals. The Osedax story grew even stranger when researchers found that the large female worms contained harems of tiny dwarf males.
	Scientists map the human loop-ome, revealing a new form of genetic regulation The ancient Japanese art of origami is based on the idea that nearly any design - a crane, an insect, a samurai warrior - can be made by taking the same blank sheet of paper and folding it in different ways.
	Human DNA shows traces of 40 million-year battle for survival between primate and pathogen Examination of DNA from 21 primate species - from squirrel monkeys to humans - exposes an evolutionary war against infectious bacteria over iron that circulates in the host's bloodstream. Supported by experimental evidence, these findings, published in Science on Dec. 12, demonstrate the vital importance of an increasingly appreciated defensive strategy called nutritional immunity.
	Ebola virus may replicate in an exotic way: Study indicates target for future drugs for measles, Ebola, RSV University of Utah researchers ran biochemical analysis and computer simulations of a livestock virus to discover a likely and exotic mechanism to explain the replication of related viruses such as Ebola, measles and rabies. The mechanism may be a possible target for new treatments within a decade.
Cells can use dynamic patterns to pluck signals from noise Scientists have discovered a general principle for how cells could accurately transmit chemical signals despite high levels of noise in the system, they report in Science this week.
	Chickens and turkeys 'closer to dinosaur ancestors' than other birds New research from the University of Kent suggests that chickens and turkeys have experienced fewer gross genomic changes than other birds as they evolved from their dinosaur ancestor.
	Mapping crocodilian genomes A Texas Tech University biologist led a team of more than 50 scientists who mapped the genomes of three crocodilians.
New studies power legacy of UW-Madison research, 60 years later Frederick Crane was a researcher under David E. Green in the mid-1950s, during the early days of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Enzyme Institute, when he made his defining discovery.
	Dingoes bring economic benefit to cattle graziers Stopping dingo control measures such as baiting and fencing could increase net profit for cattle grazing enterprises – that's the surprising result from new University of Adelaide research.
	Study finds that the slower 'eusocial' system in nature offers high risks, high rewards It's a cliché to say it takes a village to raise a child, but it's a cliché some creatures have taken to heart.
	Re-discovered diaries shed new light on one of the world's most studied woods The re-discovered diaries and photographs of ecological pioneer Charles Elton have been digitised for the first time, providing a unique insight into the changing face of an Oxfordshire woodland from the second world war to the swinging sixties.
	Collaboration yields new organic sweet corn variety When the time comes for Wisconsin's organic farmers to decide which crops to plant next year, they'll have a tasty new variety of sweet corn—with a particularly sweet name—among their choices.
	Unlocking the secrets of stem cell generation International scientists have carried out the most detailed study of how specialised body cells can be reprogrammed to be like cells from the early embryo.
	Researchers study species differentiation of ducks The mallard, the mottled duck, the American black duck, the Mexican duck.
Invasive species can dramatically alter landscapes Invasive plant and animal species can cause dramatic and enduring changes to the geography and ecology of landscapes, a study from Purdue University and the University of Kentucky shows.
Is that Ginkgo biloba supplement really what you think it is? Dr. Damon Little, Associate Curator of Bioinformatics in the Cullman Program for Molecular Systematics at The New York Botanical Garden, has just published a new study in the journal Genome investigating the use of DNA barcoding to test the authenticity of Ginkgo biloba (G. biloba), an herbal dietary supplement sold to consumers that is supposed to boost cognitive capacity. Unfortunately, herbal supplements on the market are subject to mislabelling, and therefore consumers may not be getting the products and benefits they believe they are getting.
	How fast you age depends on your parents In the hunt for better knowledge on the aging process, researchers from Lund University have now enlisted the help of small birds. A new study investigates various factors which affect whether chicks are born with long or short chromosome ends, called telomeres.
	How birds get by without external ears Unlike mammals, birds have no external ears. The outer ears of mammals play an important function in that they help the animal identify sounds coming from different elevations. But birds are also able to perceive whether the source of a sound is above them, below them, or at the same level. Now a research team from Technische Universität München (TUM) has discovered how birds are able to localize these sounds, namely by utilizing their entire head. Their findings were published recently in the PLOS ONE journal.
	March of the penguin genomes Two penguin genomes have been sequenced and analyzed for the first time in the open access, open data journal GigaScience. Timely for the holiday season, the study reveals insights into how these birds have been able to adapt to the cold and hostile Antarctic environment.
New method helps map species' genetic heritage Where did the songbird get its song? What branch of the bird family tree is closer to the flamingo - the heron or the sparrow?
LSU researchers apply modern genomic analysis to historic bird collection An international team of scientists has completed the largest whole genome study of a single class of animals to date. To map the tree of life for birds, the team sequenced, assembled and compared full genomes of 48 bird species representing all major branches of modern birds including ostrich, hummingbird, crow, duck, falcon, parrot, crane, ibis, woodpecker and eagle species. The researchers have been working on this ambitious genetic tree of life, or phylogeny, project for four years.
New insights into the origins of agriculture could help shape the future of food Agricultural decisions made by our ancestors more than 10,000 years ago could hold the key to food security in the future, according to new research by the University of Sheffield.
	Anthropologist studies the culture of cattle ranching in the Brazilian Amazon With more and more rainforest giving way to pasture and grazing land every year, the practice of cattle ranching in the Amazon has serious implications on a global scale. At the same time, however, it provides a degree of socioeconomic flexibility for Amazonian smallholders who simply can't survive on what the forest or agriculture provide.
Flap over sage grouse spurs Congress to intervene Congress is poised to make an end-run around the Endangered Species Act with a legislative rider on a massive spending bill that would delay protections for several struggling bird populations in the Western U.S.
	Finding rice traits that tackle climate-change challenges People around the world depend on food crops adapted to an array of temperature and precipitation regimes, but those conditions are in flux because of global climate change. So scientists want to identify plant traits that could be used to develop food-crop cultivars that thrive despite—or perhaps because of—shifts in carbon dioxide (CO2) levels, water availability, and air temperature.
	Sampling rivers for genes rather than organisms Effective environmental management depends on a detailed knowledge of the distribution of species. But taxonomists are in short supply, and some species can be difficult to identify, even for experts. Eawag, in collaboration with Canton Zurich, is now pursuing a new approach for species identification, requiring no more than samples of DNA shed into the environment.
	Tourism poses a threat to dolphins in the Balearic Islands The rise in tourism, fishing and sea transport between the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands is compromising the wellbeing of a small population of common bottlenose dolphins living in coastal waters off the Pityusic Islands. This is the conclusion of a study led by the University of Barcelona (Spain), which has, for the first time, counted these mammals in summer and spring, which are crucial seasons for them.
	Rhino horn trafficking up 30-fold: wildlife group The trafficking of African rhinoceros horn on the black market has surged 30-fold in the past 13 years and is now running "out of control," animal protection advocates said Thursday.

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