Science X Newsletter Thursday, Dec 18

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for December 18, 2014:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Electron spin could be the key to high-temperature superconductivity
- Origin of 'theta aurora'—long-standing space mystery—revealed
- Study identifies metal organic framework candidates for methane storage, fuels hope for natural gas cars
- New, tighter timeline confirms ancient volcanism aligned with dinosaurs' extinction
- How the physics of champagne bubbles may help address the world's future energy needs
- Newest computer neural networks can identify visual objects as well as the primate brain
- Sensing distant tornadoes, birds flew the coop: Signs point to infrasound as nature's early warning system
- Scientists locate homing signal in brain, explaining why some people are better navigators
- Scientists discover tiny gene fragments linked to brain development and autism
- Team develops 'cool' new method for probing how molecules fold
- Brain structures devoted to learning, memory highly conserved in animal kingdom, suggesting common evolutionary origin
- Scientists identify new and beneficial function of endogenous retroviruses in immune response
- Crows join human, apes and monkeys in exhibiting advanced relational thinking
- Creation of 'Rocker' protein opens way for new smart molecules in medicine, other fields
- Ear-check via phone can ease path to diagnosis

Astronomy & Space news

	Origin of 'theta aurora'—long-standing space mystery—revealed Auroras are the most visible manifestation of the sun's effect on Earth, but many aspects of these spectacular displays are still poorly understood. Thanks to the joint European Space Agency and NASA's Cluster mission combined with data from a past NASA mission called the Imager for Magnetopause-to-Aurora Global Exploration, or IMAGE, a particular type of very high-latitude aurora has now been explained.
	India launches biggest ever rocket into space India successfully launched its biggest ever rocket on Thursday carrying an unmanned capsule which could one day send astronauts into space, as the country ramps up its ambitious space programme.
	Contamination of impacted meteorites can happen quickly A team of scientists has published the results of an investigative survey into the Sutter's Mill meteorite that landed in California in 2012.
	SpaceX delays space station delivery until January The space station astronauts will have to wait until next month for their Christmas delivery.
	NASA considers possibilities for manned mission to Venus (Phys.org) —NASA's Systems Analysis and Concepts Directorate has issued a report outlining a possible way for humans to visit Venus, rather than Mars—by hovering in the atmosphere instead of landing on the surface. The hovering vehicle, which they call a High Altitude Venus Operational Concept (HAVOC), would resemble a blimp with solar panels on top, and would allow people to do research just 50 kilometers above the surface of the planet.
	Chandra weighs most massive galaxy cluster in distant universe (Phys.org) —Using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory, astronomers have made the first determination of the mass and other properties of a very young, distant galaxy cluster.
	Two astronauts will expand envelope with one-year spaceflight The two men assigned to a one-year spaceflight said Thursday that their upcoming mission will allow the world to push deeper into space.
	Kepler proves it can still find planets To paraphrase Mark Twain, the report of the Kepler spacecraft's death was greatly exaggerated. Despite a malfunction that ended its primary mission in May 2013, Kepler is still alive and working. The evidence comes from the discovery of a new super-Earth using data collected during Kepler's "second life."
	German named next head of European Space Agency Johann-Dietrich Woerner, head of German aerospace giant DLR, is to succeed Frenchman Jean-Jacques Dordain as next director-general of the European Space Agency, ESA announced on Thursday.
	Space plants on way back to earth Farming in deep space is explored in the recent movie "Interstellar," but a University of Mississippi biologist's research program appears to be bringing the sci-fi scenario closer to reality.
	A Christmas comet to be seen from dark skies If you are away from the bustle of the city these holidays, then try your luck at spotting a faint comet in the northern sky.
	SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket to attempt daring ocean platform landing with next launch In a key test of rocket reusability, SpaceX will attempt a daring landing of their Falcon 9 first stage rocket on an ocean platform known as the "autonomous spaceport drone ship" following the planned Friday, Dec. 19, blastoff on a high stakes mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
	Preparing for an asteroid strike ESA and national disaster response offices recently rehearsed how to react if a threatening space rock is ever discovered to be on a collision course with Earth.
	Politics no problem, say US and Russian spacefarers US-Russian ties may have returned to Cold War levels, but an astronaut and a cosmonaut gearing up for the longest flight on the International Space Station said Thursday politics would not disrupt their work of helping a future trip to Mars.
	Fifth SpaceX mission lets the CATS out on the International Space Station Not like cats that you might pet in your lap at night, International Space Station CATS study the atmosphere's plight. CATS and new research including flatworms, wearable technology, an external radiation monitor and tools to use the station as a microbial observatory will head to the orbiting outpost on the fifth SpaceX mission. Additionally, SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft will deliver equipment for human research, physical science and educational activities to the station.
	NASA's Orion spacecraft back in Florida after test flight NASA's experimental Orion spacecraft left Florida by rocket and returned by truck.
Launch pad where rocket exploded back next year Despite a massive explosion in October, authorities say a state-owned launch pad at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility should be repaired and ready for testing late next year.

Technology news

	Newest computer neural networks can identify visual objects as well as the primate brain For decades, neuroscientists have been trying to design computer networks that can mimic visual skills such as recognizing objects, which the human brain does very accurately and quickly.
	Hackers trick way into ICANN computers The private agency that acts as a gatekeeper for the Internet on Wednesday said that hackers tricked their way into its computers.
	EDAG car with textile skin set for Geneva show Making its debut at the Geneva Motor Show 2015 is the EDAG Light Cocoon. This is promoted as a new dimension for lightweight construction, a sportscar with a textile outer skin panel. The EDAG Light Cocoon concept features weatherproof fabric skin stretched over a 3D-printed skeletal frame. Adding to its showmanship, the car has backlight technology which illuminates the skeleton-like, organic structure, bringing the car to life, said the company. EDAG is an engineering partner to the international automotive industry.
	Ear-check via phone can ease path to diagnosis Ear infections are common in babies and young children. That it is a frequent reason for young children's visit to doctors comes as no consolation for the parents of babies tugging at their ears and crying as the parents try to get speedy appointments and travel to consultations. A system for easing the path to a doctor's diagnosis and treatment is being offered in the form of Oto HOME, a smartphone-enabled ear-checker tool, which families can use at home.
Big data may be fashion industry's next must-have accessory Big data may be the next new thing to hit the fashion industry's runways, according to a team of researchers.
	Underfire Uber ramps up rider safety Uber is ramping up driver background checks and other security measures worldwide after the smartphone-focused car-sharing service was banned in New Delhi following the alleged rape of a passenger.
	North Korea linked to Sony hacking (Update) Federal investigators have now connected the hacking of Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. to North Korea, a U.S. official said Wednesday, though it remained unclear how the federal government would respond to a break-in that exposed sensitive documents and ultimately led to terrorist threats against moviegoers.
	Q&A: Drones might help explain how tornadoes form Researchers say they have collected promising weather data by flying instrument-laden drones into big Western and Midwestern storms. Now, they want to expand the project in hopes of learning more about how tornadoes form.
	Sony cyberattack may be costliest ever (Update) The unprecedented hack of Sony Pictures which a U.S. official says is linked to North Korea may be the most damaging cyberattack ever inflicted on an American business.
	Sony emails show a studio ripe for hacking In the weeks before hackers broke into Sony Pictures Entertainment, the studio suffered significant technology outages it blamed on software flaws and incompetent technical staffers who weren't paying attention, even as hackers targeted executives to trick them into revealing their online credentials.
	Gift Guide: Home products come with connectivity Do you really need an app to tell you to brush and floss? It seems every household appliance is getting some smarts these days, meaning some connection to a phone app and the broader Internet. But then what?
	Student designs and develops revolutionary new hand-held laminating tool A PhD student from the University of Bristol has designed and developed a hand-held laminating tool, known as the dibber, for use in the layup of advanced composite components. The manual tool could be used by laminators to manufacture composite materials in industries such as aerospace, car and transport.
	Website shines light on renewable energy resources A team from the University of Arizona and eight southwestern electric utility companies have built a pioneering web portal that provides insight into renewable energy sources and how they contribute to the region's electricity grid.
	Ultralow-power RFID transponder chip in thin-film transistor technology on plastic At this week's IEDM 2014, held in San Francisco, California, nanoelectronics research center imec demonstrated an ultra-low power RFID transponder chip. Operating at sub 1V voltage and realized in thin-film transistor technology (TFTs) on plastic film, the chip paves the way for universal sensing applications, such as item level RFID tagging, body area networks (BAN) and environmental monitoring, that require prolonged remote autonomy, and ultimate thinness, flexibility and robustness.
	New Minecraft modding software revolutionizes the way we teach kids coding A new e-learning software, developed by San Diego education start-up ThoughtSTEM, teaches K-12 students how to code by allowing them to write mods ("modifications") to the popular video game, Minecraft. The software, called LearnToMod, was recently tested by over 1,000 Beta users and 100 teachers, and the final release of LearnToMod is slated for Jan. 15, 2015. ThoughtSTEM was co-founded by computer science Ph.D. students Stephen Foster and Sarah Esper.
	Better software cuts computer energy use An EU research project is developing tools to help software engineers create energy-efficient code, which could reduce electricity consumption at data centres by up to 50% and improve battery life in smart devices.
	A look at North Korea's cyberwar capabilities Most North Koreans have never seen the Internet.
	How does Uber's surge pricing work – and how ethical is it? Popular cab-hailing service Uber seems as accident-prone as ever, attracting criticism for quadrupling its rate to a minimum of $100 during the Sydney siege hostage situation. Having been criticised in several countries for its unregulated operation and irresponsible business practices, now people are questioning the firm's ethics too.
	Botched cyberattack on Syria group blamed on IS A botched cyberattack aimed at unmasking Syrian dissidents has experts worried that the Islamic State group is adding malicious software to its arsenal.
	Online privacy to remain thorny issue: survey Online privacy will remain a thorny issue over the next decade, without a widely accepted system that balances user rights and personal data collection, a survey of experts showed Thursday.
Study reveals mature motorists worse at texting and driving A Wayne State University interdisciplinary research team in the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences has made a surprising discovery: older, more mature motorists—who typically are better drivers in many circumstances—are much worse than their younger counterparts when texting while driving. Currently published online and scheduled to be published in print in the January 2015 issue of Accident Analysis and Prevention, the study "The Effects of Texting on Driving Performance in a Driving Simulator: The Influence of Driver Age" explores the relationship between texting, driving performance and age.
UN General Assembly OKs digital privacy resolution The U.N. General Assembly has approved a resolution demanding better digital privacy protections for people around the world, another response to Edward Snowden's revelations about U.S. government spying.
	Amazon launches one-hour shipping in Manhattan Amazon.com launched a service Thursday that promises one-hour delivery of household products to its Prime customers in Manhattan.
	Constantly changing online prices stump shoppers Online shopping has become as volatile as stock market trading. Wild, minute-by-minute price swings on everything from clothes to TVs have made it difficult for holiday shoppers to "buy low."
	Timeline of the Sony Pictures Entertainment hack It's been four weeks since hackers calling themselves Guardians of Peace began their cyberterrorism campaign against Sony Pictures Entertainment. In that time thousands of executive emails and other documents have been posted online, employees and their families were threatened, and unreleased films were stolen and made available for illegal download. The hackers then escalated this week to threatening 9/11-like attacks against movie theaters scheduled to show the Sony film "The Interview." That fanned security fears nationwide and resulted in the four top U.S. theater chains pulling the film from their screens, ultimately driving Sony to cancel the film's release.
	US brands movie studio hack a national security breach The cyber attack that forced Sony Pictures to scrap a comedy about North Korea is a "serious national security matter," the White House warned Thursday, threatening an "appropriate response."
Two more former Sony workers sue over data breach Two more former employees of Sony Pictures Entertainment are suing the company over the massive data breach in which their personal and financial information was stolen and posted online.
	Sony hacking fallout puts all companies on alert Companies across the globe are on high alert to tighten up network security to avoid being the next company brought to its knees by hackers like those that executed the dramatic cyberattack against Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Sony cancels NKorea parody film release after threats Hollywood studio Sony Pictures on Wednesday abruptly canceled the December 25 release date of "The Interview," a parody film which has angered North Korea and triggered chilling threats from hackers.
	Amid scrutiny, Uber vows bigger focus on safety (AP)—Uber promises to focus on rider safety amid increasing concerns that its drivers are not adequately screened for past criminal convictions.
	A new app facilitates number and arithmetic learning in children with special educational needs Researchers at the Campus de Alcoi of the Universitat Politècnica de València have created a new app that facilitates number and arithmetic learning in children between five and eight with special educational needs.
	'Interview' ordeal at Sony just its latest crisis How do you say "damage control" in Japanese? Sony Corp. is sealed within a hermetic cone of silence as executives try to prevent the slow motion train wreck at Sony Pictures from damaging the rest of the sprawling business empire.
	How Kim Jong Un became the target of 'The Interview' A few weeks ago, when a freshly stoned Seth Rogen sat down for a lunch interview about "The Interview," the likelihood of trouble seemed remote.
	Digital dilemma: How will US respond to Sony hack? The detective work blaming North Korea for the Sony hacker break-in appears so far to be largely circumstantial, The Associated Press has learned. The dramatic conclusion of a Korean role is based on subtle clues in the hacking tools left behind and the involvement of at least one computer in Bolivia previously traced to other attacks blamed on the North Koreans.
Files of more than 40,000 federal workers breached (Update) The computer files of more than 40,000 federal workers may have been compromised by a cyberattack at federal contractor KeyPoint Government Solutions, the second breach this year at a major firm handling national security background investigations of workers at federal agencies, the government confirmed Thursday.

Medicine & Health news

	Life expectancy increases globally as death toll falls from major diseases People are living much longer worldwide than they were two decades ago, as death rates from infectious diseases and cardiovascular disease have fallen, according to a new, first-ever journal publication of country-specific cause-of-death data for 188 countries.
	Fine particulate air pollution linked with increased autism risk Women exposed to high levels of fine particulate matter specifically during pregnancy—particularly during the third trimester—may face up to twice the risk of having a child with autism than mothers living in areas with low particulate matter, according to a new study from Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH). The greater the exposure, the greater the risk, researchers found. It was the first U.S.-wide study exploring the link between airborne particulate matter and autism.
	2,500-year-old Pythagoras theorem helps to show when a patient has turned a corner A medical researcher at the University of Warwick has found the 2,500 year-old Pythagoras theorem could be the most effective way to identify the point at which a patient's health begins to improve.
	Healthy brain development balanced on edge of a cellular 'sword' A new Yale-led study of children with neurodevelopmental abnormalities of the brain identifies a "cutting" enzyme crucial to the shaping and division of brain cells as well as the replenishment of neural stem cells.
	Scientists locate homing signal in brain, explaining why some people are better navigators The part of the brain that tells us the direction to travel when we navigate has been identified by UCL scientists, and the strength of its signal predicts how well people can navigate.
	Scientists discover tiny gene fragments linked to brain development and autism Very small segments of genes called "microexons" influence how proteins interact with each other in the nervous system, scientists at the University of Toronto have found, opening up a new line of research into the cause of autism.
	Could ibuprofen be an anti-aging medicine? Popular over-the counter drug extends lifespan in yeast, worms and flies Ibuprofen, a common over-the-counter drug used to relieve pain and fever, could hold the keys to a longer healthier life, according to a study by researchers at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging. Publishing in PLoS Genetics on December 18th, scientists showed that regular doses of ibuprofen extended the lifespan of yeast, worms and fruit flies.
	'Deep learning' reveals unexpected genetic roots of cancers, autism and other disorders In the decade since the genome was sequenced in 2003, scientists and doctors have struggled to answer an all-consuming question: Which DNA mutations cause disease?
Scientists identify new and beneficial function of endogenous retroviruses in immune response Retroviruses are best known for causing contagious scourges such as AIDS, or more sporadically, cancer.
Five things to know: Alcohol calorie labels on menus Want to know how many calories are in that alcoholic drink you're about to order? You might be able to find out just by reading the menu.
New hope for rare disease drug development Using combinations of well-known approved drugs has for the first time been shown to be potentially safe in treating a rare disease, according to the results of a clinical trial published in the open access Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases. The study also shows some promising preliminary results for the efficacy of the drug combination.
	New evidence shows electronic cigarettes facilitate smoking cessation Do electronic cigarettes help smokers to quit? Yes, but.... New Cochrane review finds emerging evidence that smokers who use electronic cigarettes can stop or reduce their smoking.
Laparoscopic surgery for bladder cancer leads to good long-term cancer control Long-term survival rates following laparoscopic surgery for bladder cancer are comparable to those of open surgery, according to a study published in BJU International. The findings, which come from the largest study to date with long-term follow-up after this type of minimally invasive surgery, indicate that prospective randomized trials comparing these two bladder cancer surgeries are warranted.
High-dose flu vaccine appears better for frail older adults in long-term care About 90 percent of the deaths associated with influenza in the U.S. annually are among adults aged 65 and older, according to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Those 85 and older who live in long-term care facilities are particularly at risk: They are more likely to be exposed to influenza, their immune systems are not as responsive to vaccines, and other medications or medical conditions may impair their immunity.
Early caregiving experiences have long-term effects on social relationships, achievement Do the effects of early caregiving experiences remain or fade as individuals develop? A new study has found that sensitive caregiving in the first three years of life predicts an individual's social competence and academic achievement, not only during childhood and adolescence, but also into adulthood.
The quality of parent-infant relationships and early childhood shyness predict teen anxiety Infants who frequently react to unfamiliar objects, people, and situations by becoming afraid and withdrawing are referred to as having a behaviorally inhibited temperament. As these infants grow up, many continue to be inhibited or reticent when they experience new things, including meeting new people. Inhibited children are more likely than their peers to develop anxiety problems, especially social anxiety, as they get older. A new longitudinal study has found that behavioral inhibition that persists across early childhood is associated with social anxiety in adolescence, but only among youth who were insecurely attached to their parents as infants.
Study shows epinephrine auto-injectors and asthma inhalers used incorrectly Millions of Americans with severe allergies and asthma are prescribed medical devices to help relieve symptoms and sometimes, to treat potentially fatal allergic reactions. Unfortunately, very few people use their prescribed medical devices properly - even if they think they know how.
Moms of food-allergic kids need dietician's support Discovering your child has a severe food allergy can be a terrible shock. Even more stressful can be determining what foods your child can and cannot eat, and constructing a new diet which might eliminate entire categories of foods.
	How does prostate cancer form? Prostate cancer affects more than 23,000 men this year in the USA however the individual genes that initiate prostate cancer formation are poorly understood. Finding an enzyme that regulates this process could provide excellent new prevention approaches for this common malignancy. Sirtuin enzymes have been implicated in neurodegeneration, obesity, heart disease, and cancer. Research published online Thursday in The American Journal of Pathology show the loss of one of sirtuin (SIRT1) drives the formation of early prostate cancer (prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia) in mouse models of the disease.
	Subtle but important memory function affected by preterm birth A new study has found that children born prematurely show differences in a subtle but important aspect of memory: the ability to form and retrieve memories about context, such as what, when, and where something happened. This type of memory is important, but can be missed on the usual set of direct assessments. The new research suggests that it may be valuable to find targeted ways to help strengthen this aspect of memory in children born preterm.
	Researcher to cancer: 'Resistance will be futile' Turning the tables, Katherine Borden at the University of Montreal's Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC) has evoked Star Trek's Borg in her fight against the disease. "Cancer cells rapidly evolve a multitude of defense mechanisms to evade the effects of the oncologist's drug arsenal. Unfortunately, clinical strategies to overcome these lag far behind," Borden explained. "This mismatch likely underlies our inability to implement new durable treatment strategies." However, in her paper published in Cancer Research entitled "When will resistance be futile?", Borden describes one way that cancer goes about this evolution, providing researchers with a possible tool for disarming this defense. The article is inspired by research she published in Nature with her doctoral student Hiba Zahreddine.
Colombia village's 'curse' could hold Alzheimer's cure When John Jairo, a meticulous night watchman, lost his job for leaving all of his employer's doors open, his family knew they were hit by the "Yarumal curse."
Many children and adolescents get too much caffeine from energy drinks When children aged 10-14 consume energy drinks, one in five consumes too much caffeine. When their caffeine intake from other sources such as cola and chocolate is included, every second child and more than one in three adolescents aged 15-17 consume too much caffeine. This is the finding of a new study conducted by the National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark. The institute estimates that energy drinks cause or contribute to a large proportion of children and adolescents exceeding the recommended maximum daily intake of caffeine.
	Hypertension medication that targets stress may help smokers quit Smokers trying to quit often light up a cigarette to deal with stress. Now an interdisciplinary team of Yale researchers has shown that guanfacine, a medication approved for treating hypertension that reduces stress and enhances cognition, shows promise as a smoking cessation aid.
	3-D printed device relieves sleep apnoea Sleep apnoea is a condition where the air passage in the throat becomes blocked during sleep and causes people to stop breathing.
	From disgust to deceit – a shorter path than you might think Feeling queasy? How about deceitful? New research shows feelings of disgust encourage unethical, self-interested behaviours such as lying to get more money.
	In the battle against Ebola, a double-layer solution When working with Ebola patients, protective gear works, but removing it can be harrowing. Seeking to protect health care workers from the precarious nature of taking off soiled gloves, Cornell students have developed a duplex solution to a complex problem: a double-layer system.
	Scientists investigate use of cognitive computing-based visual analytics for skin cancer image analysis IBM announced today a collaboration with Memorial Sloan Kettering to research the application of cognitive computing to analyze dermatological images of skin lesions with the goal of assisting clinicians in the identification of various cancerous disease states. The technology, which learns by identifying specific patterns in medical images, has the potential to increase the number of cases detected and help clinicians make earlier diagnoses.
	Natural quit smoking remedy more effective than nicotine replacement New Zealand researchers have found that a low cost, plant-based product marketed for smoking cessation in parts of Europe for the last 40 years, is better than nicotine replacement therapy at helping smokers quit.
	Cars carrying children to become smoke-free New legislation has been announced that will make it illegal to smoke in a vehicle that is carrying a child.
	Study finds genetic clue to menopause-like condition in young women Six young women with a disorder that mimics menopause have gene alterations that hamper the repair of damaged DNA, report researchers supported by the National Institutes of Health. The mutations, occurring in women with primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), are in genes that repair damaged DNA in cells of the ovary that eventually become egg cells. The findings may contribute to an understanding of POI, and to the genetic basis of the precise timing of menopause that occurs at the usual stage in a woman's life.
	Chronic high blood sugar may be detrimental to the developing brain of young children Young children who have long-term high blood sugar levels are more likely to have slower brain growth, according to researchers at centers including the National Institutes of Health.
Could trophoblasts be the immune cells of pregnancy? Trophoblasts, cells that form an outer layer around a fertilized egg and develop into the major part of the placenta, have now been shown to respond to inflammatory danger signals, researchers from Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) found in a recent study published in Journal of Reproductive Immunology, December 2014.
	Cells identified that enhance tumor growth and suppress anti-cancer immune attack A study led by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists has identified the population of white blood cells that tumors use to enhance growth and suppress the disease-fighting immune system. The results, which appear in the December 18 edition of the scientific journal Immunity, mark a turning point in cancer immunology and provide the foundation for developing more effective immunotherapies.
	EU court says obesity can be disability (Update) The European Union's highest court ruled Thursday that obesity can be considered a "disability" if it hinders an overweight person's performance at work.
	Is the government stalling on plain cigarette packaging? We are still waiting to hear whether the UK government will rule in that all tobacco products should be placed in standardised packaging.
	Athletes urged to drink when thirsty after Rottnest swim incident Long distance swimmers are being urged to drink when they are thirsty rather than to a set schedule after a woman was admitted to intensive care with critically low sodium levels following last year's Rottnest Channel Swim.
Low-dose lithium prevents Parkinson's symptoms in aged mice with a human mutation for the disease Low-dose lithium prevented symptoms of Parkinson's disease in aged mice genetically engineered to develop the incurable, degenerative motor disease that is diagnosed in about 60,000 Americans each year. The research, led by Buck Institute faculty Julie Andersen, PhD, showed that lithium prevented the motor impairment and dopaminergic loss that are hallmarks of the disease. The study is now online in the journal Brain Research.
Researchers hope patent can pave way to future treatments of heart, lung disease A Kansas State University research team has received a patent for its use of a peptide that has been shown to prevent or reduce damage to intestinal tissue.
	First of new generation of cancer drugs granted European approval A new drug for ovarian cancer, developed by researchers at the University of Cambridge and AstraZeneca, has today become the first of new class of drugs, known as PARP-inhibitors, to be granted approval anywhere in the world. The drug, Lynparza, has been granted Marketing Authorisation from the European Commission.
	Low premiums yet big bills – why high-deductible health plans need reform A few years ago, we met Angie, a hair salon owner in Oregon with health insurance coverage and a stack of unpaid medical bills. She and her husband were both employed – he as a carpenter—and earned about US$45,000 a year, a bit less than the median income in their county. They were raising two children. Their health insurance had a deductible of US$4,000 for each person, capped at US$8,000 for the family, which meant they had to pay that much before benefits would kick in.
Wild blueberries (bilberries) can help tackle the adverse effects of a high-fat diet Eating bilberries diminishes the adverse effects of a high-fat diet, according to a recent study at the University of Eastern Finland. For the first time, bilberries were shown to have beneficial effects on both blood pressure and nutrition-derived inflammatory responses.
Why do parents who usually vaccinate their children hesitate or refuse? A new study by Dr. Anat Gesser-Edelsburg, Dr. Yaffa Shir-Raz and Prof. Manfred S. Green from University of Haifa, School of Public Health, published in the Journal of Risk Research suggests that even parents who are not "vaccine refusers" and who usually comply with the routine vaccination programs may hesitate or refuse to vaccinate their children based on poor communication from the relevant healthcare provider, as well as concerns about the safety of the vaccine.
	New disease mechanism discovered in lymphoma Programmed cell death is a mechanism that causes defective and potentially harmful cells to destroy themselves. It serves a number of purposes in the body, including the prevention of malignant tumor growth. Now, researchers at Technische Universität München (TUM) have discovered a previously unknown mechanism for regulating programmed cell death. They have also shown that patients with lymphoma often carry mutations in this signal pathway.
	Researchers treat heart attacks with new gene therapy based on telomerase enzyme The enzyme telomerase repairs cell damage produced by ageing, and has been used successfully in therapies to lengthen the life of mice. Now it has been observed that it could also be used to cure illnesses related to the ageing process. Researchers at the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) have for the first time treated myocardial infarction with telomerase by designing a very innovative strategy: a gene therapy that reactivates the telomerase gene only in the heart of adult mice, thus increasing survival rates in those animals by 17 % following a heart attack.
Researchers ferret out a flu clue Research that provides a new understanding as to why ferrets are similar to humans is set to have major implications for the development of novel drugs and treatment strategies.
Specific oxidation regulates cellular functions For a long time, hydrogen peroxide has been considered as a dangerous metabolite that can damage cells through oxidation. This, however, is not its only role in the cell. Scientists from the German Cancer Research Center have now discovered how it also transmits specific signals: Enzymes called peroxiredoxins catch the free hydrogen peroxide molecules and use them to specifically oxidize other proteins. Hydrogen peroxide thus regulates, for example, the activity of an inflammation-promoting transcription factor and hence controls important cellular functions.
Tailor-made cancer treatments? New cell culture technique paves the way In a development that could lead to a deeper understanding of cancer and better early-stage treatment of the disease, University of Michigan researchers have devised a reliable way to grow a certain type of cancer cells from patients outside the body for study.
Preventing hepatitis C patients from being lost in the health-care system A new study shows that many patients infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) are lost during different stages of health care to manage the disease. This real-life' view of the HCV patient care continuum in a major U.S. urban area is published in Hepatology, a journal of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, and highlights the importance of generating awareness among clinicians and at-risk groups about appropriate HCV testing, referral, support and care.
Islet cell transplantation restores type 1 diabetics' blood sugar defense mechanisms Type 1 diabetes (T1D) patients who have developed low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) as a complication of insulin treatments over time are able to regain normal internal recognition of the condition after receiving pancreatic islet cell transplantation, according to a new study led by researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, published online in Diabetes. Severe hypoglycemia—a life-threatening complication of insulin treatment for T1D—can occur when the body's defense mechanisms against low blood sugar are broken down over a long period of time, causing shakiness, irritability, confusion, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, and even seizures or loss of consciousness.
	Resting heart rate predicts renal outcomes in high-risk patients (HealthDay)—For patients at high risk of cardiovascular disease, resting heart rate (RHR) can predict renal outcomes, according to research published online Nov. 27 in the Journal of Internal Medicine.
Scientists map out how childhood brain tumors relapse Researchers have discovered the unique genetic paths that the childhood brain tumour medulloblastoma follows when the disease comes back, according to research published in Cancer Cell today.
	Trigger mechanism for recovery after spinal cord injury revealed After an incomplete spinal cord injury, the body can partially recover basic motor function. So-called muscle spindles and associated sensory circuits back to the spinal cord promote the establishment of novel neuronal connections after injury. This circuit-level mechanism behind the process of motor recovery was elucidated by Prof. Silvia Arber's research group at the Biozentrum, University of Basel and the Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research. Their findings may contribute to designing novel strategies for treatment after spinal cord injuries and have now been published in the journal Cell.
	23andMe study sketches genetic portrait of the US 23andMe today announced the publication of a study that pinpoints fine-scale differences in genetic ancestry of individuals from across the United States.
	Tackling neurotransmission precision Behind all motor, sensory and memory functions, calcium ions are in the brain, making those functions possible. Yet neuroscientists do not entirely understand how fast calcium ions reach their targets inside neurons, and how that timing changes neural signaling. Researchers at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University have determined how the distance from calcium channels to calcium sensors on vesicles affects a neuron's signaling precision and efficacy.
	Self-reported daily exercise associated with lower blood pressure, glucose readings Self-reported moderate to vigorous exercise was associated with lower blood pressure and blood glucose levels in a Kaiser Permanente study published in the journal Preventing Chronic Disease. Data collected from Kaiser Permanente's Exercise as a Vital Sign (EVS) program, in which medical office staff asks patients about their exercise habits at every health care visit, revealed associations between moderate to vigorous exercise and improved measures of cardiometabolic health for both men and women. Few previous studies have examined associations between self-reported physical activity and cardiometabolic risk factors within a health care setting.
Change of diet to unmask cancer vulnerabilities and reduce cancer risk Many recent studies showed that calorie restrictions reduce the incidence of cancer, whereas high-calorie diets cause obesity and diabetes, both of which increase the risk of developing cancers. However, tumor biology still hides complex mechanisms, as revealed by researchers from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Geneva (UNIGE), Switzerland. In a study published in Cell Metabolism, scientists not only found the unexpected benefit that a change of diet had on certain types of lung cancer, they also deciphered the molecular mechanism underlying this dietary effect and showed how this cancer vulnerability could be exploited in targeted treatment strategies with limited side effects.
	What makes kids generous? Neuroscience has some answers It's no secret that people are judgmental, and young children are no exception. When children witness "good" or "bad" behavior, their brains show an immediate emotional response. But, according to a study appearing in the Cell Press journal Current Biology on December 18, it takes more than that kind of automatic moral evaluation for kids to act with generosity and share their stickers.
	Internet addiction affects six percent of people worldwide Internet addiction is an impulse-control problem marked by an inability to inhibit Internet use, which can adversely affect a person's life, including their health and interpersonal relationships. The prevalence of Internet addiction varies among regions around the world, as shown by data from more than 89,000 individuals in 31 countries analyzed for a study published in Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking.
New technique provides novel approach to diagnosing ciliopathies Cilia, the cell's tails and antennas, are among the most important biological structures. They line our windpipe and sweep away all the junk we inhale; they help us see, smell and reproduce. When a mutation disrupts the function or structure of cilia, the effects on the human body are devastating and sometimes lethal.
	Fast-changing genes help malaria to hide in the human body A study of the way malaria parasites behave when they live in human red blood cells has revealed that they can rapidly change the proteins on the surface of their host cells during the course of a single infection in order to hide from the immune system.
Team finds bacterial infections differ based on geography, healthcare spending Where you live affects the type of bacteria that cause bloodstream infections, according to researchers at Rhode Island Hospital and an international team of investigators. The closer you live to the equator, the greater the likelihood of a bloodstream infection caused by a group of bacteria called Gram-negative bacteria, which thrive in warm and moist environments, compared to another group of bacteria referred to as Gram-positive bacteria. The study also found that the proportion of a country's GDP spent on health care impacted the type of bacteria causing such infections. The study was published in the scientific journal PLOS ONE.
	How llamas' unusual antibodies might help in the fight against HIV/AIDS Most vaccines work by inducing an immune response characterized by neutralizing antibodies against the respective pathogen. An effective HIV vaccine has remained elusive so far, but researchers have continued to make progress, often employing innovative methods. A study published on December 18th in PLOS Pathogens reports that a combination of antibodies from llamas can neutralize (destroy) a wide range of circulating HIV viruses.
Local enforcement of federal immigration laws affects immigrant Hispanics' healthcare State and local enforcement of federal immigration laws can have an adverse impact on the use of health care services by immigrant Hispanics, according to a North Carolina-based study by Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center researchers.
	Ability to balance on one leg may reflect brain health and stroke risk Struggling to balance on one leg for 20 seconds or longer was linked to an increased risk for small blood vessel damage in the brain and reduced cognitive function in otherwise healthy people with no clinical symptoms, according to new research in the American Heart Association's journal Stroke.
	People with blood groups A, B and AB at higher risk of type 2 diabetes than group O A study of more than 80,000 women has uncovered different risks of developing type 2 diabetes associated with different blood groups, with the biggest difference a 35% increased risk of type 2 diabetes found in those with group B, Rhesus factor positive (R+) blood compared with the universal donor group O, Rhesus factor negative (R-). The study is published in Diabetologia (the journal of The European Association for the Study of Diabetes) and is by Dr Guy Fagherazzi, and Dr Françoise Clavel-Chapelon, Center for Research in Epidemiology and Population Health, INSERM, Villejuif, France, and colleagues.
Less than half of UK prescriptions for antipsychotics issued for main licensed conditions Less than half of UK prescriptions for antipsychotic drugs are being issued to treat the serious mental illnesses for which they are mainly licensed, reveals research published in the online journal BMJ Open.
Urban stressors may contribute to rising rate of diabetes in developing nations As people in developing nations relocate from rural areas to cities, the increased stress is affecting their hormone levels and making them more susceptible to diabetes and other metabolic disorders, according to a new study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM).
Resistance to anti-viral drug may be more likely in cystic fibrosis patients A drug called ganciclovir is given to lung transplant patients to protect against a life-threatening virus that is common after transplantation.
	Mutations need help from aging tissue to cause leukemia Why are older people at higher risk for developing cancer? Prevailing opinion holds that, over time, your body's cells accumulate DNA damage and that eventually this damage catches up with the body in a way that causes cancer. A University of Colorado Cancer Center study published today in the journal Aging shows that this prevailing opinion is incomplete. In addition to DNA damage, cancer depends on the slow degradation of tissue that surrounds cancer cells, something that naturally comes with aging.
	Study finds enzyme inhibitors suppress herpes simplex virus replication Saint Louis University research findings published in the December issue of Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy report a family of molecules known as nucleotidyltransferase superfamily (NTS) enzyme inhibitors are promising candidates for new herpes virus treatments.
Hot flashes linked to increased risk of hip fracture Women who experience moderate to severe hot flashes and night sweats during menopause tend to have lower bone mineral density and higher rates of hip fracture than peers who do not have menopausal symptoms, according to a new study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
Cell-associated HIV mucosal transmission: The neglected pathway Dr. Deborah Anderson from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and her colleagues are challenging dogma about the transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Most research has focused on infection by free viral particles, while this group proposes that HIV is also transmitted by infected cells. While inside cells, HIV is protected from antibodies and other antiviral factors, and cell-to-cell virus transmission occurs very efficiently through intercellular synapses. The Journal of Infectious Diseases (JID) has devoted their December supplement to this important and understudied topic.
	Research shows E.B. White was right in Charlotte's Web Before Charlotte the spider spelled the word "humble" in her web to describe Wilbur the pig, she told Templeton the rat that the word meant "not proud."
High socioeconomic status increases discrimination, depression risk in black young adults An investigation into factors related to disparities of depression in young adults has found that higher parental education - which has a protective effect for white youth - can also increase the risk of depression for black youth. The MassGeneral Hospital for Children (MGHfC) study published online in the Journal of Pediatrics also found that, among high-socioeconomic-status black youth, greater perceptions of being discriminated against cancelled out the protective effects of parental education.
	Most states not ready to handle infectious disease outbreaks: report (HealthDay)—Ebola's entrance into the United States—along with Angelina Jolie's chickenpox and the National Hockey League's mumps outbreak—have highlighted cracks in the nation's public health defense against infectious disease, according to a new health policy report released Thursday.
	Many flu infections aren't good match for vaccine: CDC (HealthDay)—The flu is starting to tighten its grip on much of the United States, particularly in the South and Midwest, U.S. health officials reported Thursday.
	Arriving now at gate 42: measles (HealthDay)—Traveling through the same U.S. airport gate, one infected passenger transmitted the measles virus to three others within a four-hour time span, illustrating just how easily the virus can spread, a new report shows.
	Scratch from pet rat kills child; CDC warns of risk (HealthDay)—The tragic death from "rat-bite fever" of a 10-year-old San Diego boy highlights the risk carried by the pet rodents, according to a report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
	Common painkillers may help prevent certain skin cancers, study finds (HealthDay)—Common painkillers, including ibuprofen, might slightly reduce your risk of developing a form of skin cancer, researchers say.
	Drug interaction identified for ondansetron, tramadol (HealthDay)—In the early postoperative period, ondansetron is associated with increased requirements for tramadol consumption, according to a review and meta-analysis published online Dec. 10 in Anaesthesia.
Supplement maker admits lying about ingredients Federal prosecutors say the owner and president of a dietary supplement company has admitted his role in the sale of diluted and adulterated dietary ingredients and supplements sold by his company.
Cambodia orders probe into mass HIV infection Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Thursday ordered a probe into an apparent mass HIV infection believed to have been spread by contaminated needles, as the number of suspected cases passed 100.
	New book examines shortcomings in US mental health system In the months leading up to Myron May's shooting rampage at a Florida State University library, his friends made at least three unsuccessful attempts to admit the FSU alumnus into a mental health clinic. The 31-year-old lawyer who shot three students before being fatally shot himself by police had been hearing voices, suffering from panic attacks and demonstrating erratic behavior since late summer, but every time his friends attempted to help they were told he didn't qualify for care.
Instant noodles recalled as Taiwan food scare widens Taiwanese authorities on Thursday ordered a leading food company to recall two flavours of instant noodles over fears they contain a banned dye as the island's latest food scandal deepened.
	11th Sierra Leonean doctor dies from Ebola One of Sierra Leone's most senior physicians died Thursday from Ebola, the 11th doctor in the country to succumb to the disease, a health official said.
	Christmas a risky time for vulnerable according to indigenous expert Christmas is a risky time for many people, young and old, who may be prone to depression and self-harm, according to an expert in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander wellbeing.
	Irish face new abortion row over brain-dead woman Ireland is debating its ban on abortion again as doctors keep a brain-dead pregnant woman on life support, awaiting a judge's verdict on what do to with the living fetus.
Malnutrition a hidden epidemic among elders Health care systems and providers are not attuned to older adults' malnutrition risk, and ignoring malnutrition exacts a toll on hospitals, patients, and payers, according to the latest issue of the What's Hot newsletter from The Gerontological Society of America (GSA).
Older kidney donors with hypertension may have good kidney health following donation With proper monitoring, kidney donation may be safe for individuals with high blood pressure, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN). The study found that while hypertension can have negative effects on the kidneys, older adults with the condition appear to have good kidney health following donation.
Core hospital care team members may surprise you Doctors and nurses are traditionally thought to be the primary caretakers of patients in a typical hospital setting. But according to a study at the burn center intensive care unit at Loyola University Health System, three physicians, a social worker and a dietitian were documented as the most central communicators of the patient clinical team.

Biology news

Japan lab cannot repeat ground-breaking cell finding: reports Some of Japan's top scientists have been unable to reproduce results of what was once billed as a ground-breaking stem cell study, but which spiralled into a scandal that included a respected researcher's suicide, reports said Thursday.
	EU court clears stem cell patenting A human egg used to produce stem cells but unable to develop into a viable embryo can be patented, the European Court of Justice ruled on Thursday.
	Nature offers video of 10 cutest animals of 2014 (Phys.org)—The journal Nature has released a video that ventures a bit from its traditional strictly-science approach to technical journalism—it's all about the cutest animal stories of the past year (along with cute narration), though they might be stretching the definition a bit—some perhaps are simply striking. Also it might be noted, that in many cases, it's not the thing that is being done that causes the cuteness, but how the animals look while doing what they're doing. In any case, here are the winners:
	Studies show a pathway for imported proteins through cell membrane that can be hijacked by toxins (Phys.org)—Two teams of researchers have been looking into the ways that toxins can fool cell membranes into gaining access, thereby allowing for human ailments such as cholera. One team describes a pathway that is independent of the clathrin protein while the second team shows that such a pathway can be hijacked by toxins such as the bacteria responsible for cholera. Both teams have published their findings in the journal Nature.
	Sensing distant tornadoes, birds flew the coop: Signs point to infrasound as nature's early warning system When birds unexpectedly flee their nesting grounds, it may be a demonstration of Mother Nature's early-warning system that a massive storm is approaching.
	Crows join human, apes and monkeys in exhibiting advanced relational thinking Crows have long been heralded for their high intelligence - they can remember faces, use tools and communicate in sophisticated ways.
	Team develops 'cool' new method for probing how molecules fold Collaborating scientists from The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) and the University of California (UC) San Diego have developed a powerful new system for studying how proteins and other biological molecules form and lose their natural folded structures.
	Brain structures devoted to learning, memory highly conserved in animal kingdom, suggesting common evolutionary origin Whether you're cramming for an exam or just trying to remember where you put your car keys, learning and memory are critical functions that we constantly employ in daily life.
'Hairclip' protein mechanism explained Research led by the Teichmann group on the Wellcome Genome Campus has identified a fundamental mechanism for controlling protein function. Published in the journal Science, the discovery has wide-ranging implications for biotechnology and medicine. The shape of a protein determines its function, for example whether it is able to interact with another protein or with a drug. But a protein's shape is not constant - it may change in response to different conditions, or simply as a matter of course.
	RNA measurements may yield less insight about gene expression than assumed The majority of RNA expression differences between individuals have no connection to the abundance of a corresponding protein, report scientists from the University of Chicago and Stanford University in Science on Dec. 18. The findings point to a yet-unidentified cellular mechanism that regulates gene expression and suggest studies that rely only on RNA measurements to characterize gene function require further analysis.
	Creation of 'Rocker' protein opens way for new smart molecules in medicine, other fields Human cells are protected by a largely impenetrable molecular membrane, but researchers have built the first artificial transporter protein that carries individual atoms across membranes, opening the possibility of engineering a new class of smart molecules with applications in fields as wide ranging as nanotechnology and medicine.
	Study: Large carnivores gaining ground in Europe Brown bears, grey wolves and other large carnivores are making a comeback in Europe.
	Quest to unravel mysteries of our gene network There are roughly 27,000 genes in the human body, all but a relative few of them connected through an intricate and complex network that plays a dominant role in shaping our physiological structure and functions.
Long-term cliff swallow study uncovers effects of climate change A 30-year study of cliff swallows, a long-distance migrant bird species, has revealed that global climate change is altering their breeding habits.
	Big data and the science of the Christmas tree Often called the "Cadillac of Christmas trees," the Fraser Fir has everything a good Christmas tree should have: an even triangular shape, a sweet piney fragrance, and soft needles that (mostly) stay attached and won't leave tiny stabs in your fingers.
	Researchers discover protein protecting against chlorine Chlorine is a common disinfectant that is used to kill bacteria, for example in swimming pools and drinking water supplies. Our immune system also produces chlorine, which causes proteins in bacteria to lose their natural folding. These unfolded proteins then begin to clump and lose their function.
	Surprise gene finding on "back or belly" decision in sea anemones A gene that controls one of the earliest decisions in the life of an animal, where to place the back and the belly on the body, is identified in a sea anemone by researchers in Bergen, Norway.
Protection of the mouse gut by mucus depends on microbes The quality of the colon mucus in mice depends on the composition of gut microbiota, reports a Swedish-Norwegian team of researchers from the University of Gothenburg and the Norwegian University of Life Sciences in Oslo. The work, published in EMBO reports, suggests that bacteria in the gut affect mucus barrier properties in ways that can have implications for health and disease.
Discovery in the fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria For four years, researchers at Universite catholique de Louvain have been trying to find out how bacteria can withstand antibiotics, so as to be able to attack them more effectively. These researchers now understand how one defense mechanism works and the results of their research have been published in the prestigious scientific journal Cell.
Stem cells born out of indecision Scientists at the University of Copenhagen have gained new insight into embryonic stem cells and how blocking their ability to make choices explains why they stay as stem cells in culture. The results have just been published in the scientific journal Cell Reports.
	New research solves old mystery of silent cell death Walter and Eliza Hall Institute researchers have for the first time revealed how dying cells are hidden from the immune 'police' that patrol the body.
	A clear, molecular view of how human color vision evolved Many genetic mutations in visual pigments, spread over millions of years, were required for humans to evolve from a primitive mammal with a dim, shadowy view of the world into a greater ape able to see all the colors in a rainbow.
	Time management skills keep animals primed for survival Many animals may have a previously under-appreciated ability to make up for lost time with more effort, according to new research publishing this week in PLOS Computational Biology.
	Conservation and immunology of wild seabirds: Vaccinating two birds with one shot A group of researchers from the University of Barcelona (Spain), the CNRS in Montpellier (France) and Princeton University (USA) report in The American Naturalist that the vaccination of females of a long-lived seabird species, the Cory's shearwater, results in levels of antibodies that allow their transmission to their offspring for several years and could provide several weeks of protection after hatching to these offspring.
	Study on world's biggest animal finds more than one population in the southeastern Pacific Scientists from WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society), the Universidad Austral de Chile, the Blue Whale Center, the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), NOAA, and other organizations are examining molecular clues to answer a big question: how many types of blue whales exist in the waters of the southeastern Pacific?
	Deakin researcher calls for citizen scientists to help save rare 500kg turtle A Deakin University marine scientist is asking coastal Victorian and Tasmanian locals and summer holidaymakers to help save one of the ocean's biggest yet most elusive endangered creatures.
	Easy, affordable cover extends growing season in home gardens A technique used by commercial growers to protect tender crops from harmful cold temperatures may be an affordable option for home growers as well, according to Dr. Joe Masabni, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service vegetable specialist.
	Ideology prevents wheat growers from converting to more profitable methods, new study shows U.S. wheat growers resist converting to a more profitable method of farming because of ideology – their personal beliefs about organic farming – rather than technical or material obstacles, according to a new study co-authored by a University of Arkansas researcher.
	Stranded pilot whale rescued in Cape Verde The archipelago nation of Cape Verde is widely recognised as a marine biodiversity hotspot, not least because of the abundance of marine mammals found in its waters.
	How does enzymatic pretreatment affect the nanostructure and reaction space of lignocellulosic biomass? Pretreatment of cellulosic biomass using cell wall degrading enzymes is a critical step in the release of sugars needed to produce biofuels and renewable, biobased chemicals and materials. A new study that demonstrates and quantifies the impact of enzymatic hydrolysis and drying on the nanostructure and available reaction volume of pretreated hardwoods and switchgrass is published in Industrial Biotechnology.
	Experts 'grasping at straws' to save near-extinct rhino So how exactly do you save an almost extinct rhinoceros? Turns out, a test tube baby rhino could be the solution, being sought by experts on three continents. But it won't be easy.

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