Science X Newsletter Wednesday, Dec 17

Webinar: How to Build and Run COMSOL Simulation Apps - December 18th

With the recent release of COMSOL Server you can share custom-built applications with fellow engineers. Learn how to get the most out of COMSOL Multiphysics version 5.0 and the Application Builder in this free webinar: http://goo.gl/vISPmm

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Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for December 17, 2014:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Attack on classical cryptography system raises security questions
- Ancient, hydrogen-rich waters discovered deep underground at locations around the world
- Mathematical description of relationship between thickness, temperature, and resistivity could spur advances
- New analysis of DNA evidence contradicts claims of 'Yeti' brown/polar bear hybrid in Himalayas
- BPG image format judged awesome versus JPEG
- Study finds an exoplanet, tilted on its side, could still be habitable if covered in ocean
- Discovery advances ferroelectrics in quest for lower power transistors
- Origin of the Eukaryotic cell: Part II - Cytoskeleton, membranes, and beyond
- Team opens new frontier of vast chemical 'space', makes dozens of new chemical entities
- Thumbs-up for mind-controlled robotic arm (w/ Video)
- Study shows starving mantis females attract more males
- Team gains new insight into how motor neurons in the brain die during ALS
- BMW to reveal driverless innovations that allow for 360- degree collision avoidance and valet parking
- Top weather conditions that amplify Lake Erie algal blooms revealed
- Asteroid that wiped out dinosaurs may have nearly knocked off mammals, too

Astronomy & Space news

	Study finds an exoplanet, tilted on its side, could still be habitable if covered in ocean Nearly 2,000 planets beyond our solar system have been identified to date. Whether any of these exoplanets are hospitable to life depends on a number of criteria. Among these, scientists have thought, is a planet's obliquity—the angle of its axis relative to its orbit around a star.
	The hot blue stars of Messier 47 Messier 47 is located approximately 1600 light-years from Earth, in the constellation of Puppis (the poop deck of the mythological ship Argo). It was first noticed some time before 1654 by Italian astronomer Giovanni Battista Hodierna and was later independently discovered by Charles Messier himself, who apparently had no knowledge of Hodierna's earlier observation.
	Venus Express goes gently into the night ESA's Venus Express has ended its eight-year mission after far exceeding its planned life. The spacecraft exhausted its propellant during a series of thruster burns to raise its orbit following the low-altitude aerobraking earlier this year.
	'Perfect storm' quenching star formation around a supermassive black hole High-energy jets powered by supermassive black holes can blast away a galaxy's star-forming fuel, resulting in so-called "red and dead" galaxies: those brimming with ancient red stars yet containing little or no hydrogen gas to create new ones.
	Surprising theorists, stars within middle-aged clusters are of similar age A close look at the night sky reveals that stars don't like to be alone; instead, they congregate in clusters, in some cases containing as many as several million stars. Until recently, the oldest of these populous star clusters were considered well understood, with the stars in a single group having formed at different times, over periods of more than 300 million years. Yet new research published online today in the journal Nature suggests that the star formation in these clusters is more complex.
	Bright lights: big cities at night As the days grow shorter and the temperatures drop in Europe, test your geography skills in the warmth of your home – while helping scientists to pinpoint light pollution.
	Four life science experiments headed to ISS in the SpaceX-5 resupply launch NASA's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, California, will launch four life science experiments to the International Space Station aboard NASA's next commercial cargo resupply flight of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. The research missions include validation of a new capability for model organism study in space, an infection process investigation in the unique conditions of space, the first step in a multi-part study to track microbes on the space station, and an examination of immune system changes that curiously happen in both elderly people and people exposed to spaceflight.
	A stunning look at the cliffs of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko Images from space don't get more dramatic than this. Image processing wizard Stuart Atkinson zoomed in on one of the most intriguing views yet of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, highlighting the contrasts of dark and light, smooth and rugged, soft contours and frighteningly vertical cliffs.
	SpaceX continues to expand facilities, workforce in quest for space SpaceX was founded by Elon Musk in 2002 with a dream of making commercial space exploration a reality. Since that time, Musk has seen his company become a major player in the aerospace industry, landing contracts with various governments, NASA, and other private space companies to put satellites in orbit and ferry supplies to the International Space Station.
	NASA's sun watching observatory sees mid-level solar flare on Dec. 16, 2014 The sun emitted a mid-level solar flare, peaking at 11:50 p.m. EST on Dec. 16, 2014. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory, which watches the sun constantly, captured an image of the event. Solar flares are powerful bursts of radiation. Harmful radiation from a flare cannot pass through Earth's atmosphere to physically affect humans on the ground, however—when intense enough—they can disturb the atmosphere in the layer where GPS and communications signals travel.
	Image: Sunset over the Gulf of Mexico From the International Space Station, Expedition 42 Flight Engineer Terry W. Virts took this photograph of the Gulf of Mexico and U.S. Gulf Coast at sunset and posted it to social media on Dec. 14, 2014.

Technology news

	BPG image format judged awesome versus JPEG If these three letters could talk, BPG, they would say something like "Farewell, JPEG." Better Portable Graphics (BPG) is a new image format based on HEVC and supported by browsers with a small Javascript decoder. The format is intended to replace the JPEG image format when the file size or quality is an issue. BPG's advantages include a high compression ratio, whereby files are much smaller than JPEG for similar quality.
	Nokia HERE prepares maps for autonomous cars Autonomous cars will need a new kind of map, a crucial element that until now has been given a back seat to the more popularly discussed issues of sensors and legal questions. Senior Writer Greg Miller in Wired put maps back into the car-of-the-future perspective this week. Autonomous cars, he said, will require maps that differ in several important ways from the maps that automobile drivers depend on today for directions. They need to be high-definition, he said, as "autonomous cars will need maps that can tell them where the curb is within a few centimeters." They will need to be live, with second by second updates on accidents, traffic snarls and closed lanes. They will need to take human psychology into account and win the trust of their passengers. Nokia HERE, which is the maps division of the company, is making efforts to build high-definition maps for autonomous vehicles. HD maps will tell an autonomous car what to expect a! long its route.
	NREL demonstrates 45.7% efficiency for concentrator solar cell The Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory has announced the demonstration of a 45.7 percent conversion efficiency for a four-junction solar cell at 234 suns concentration. This achievement represents one of the highest photovoltaic research cell efficiencies achieved across all types of solar cells.
	Cheaper, more powerful VR system for engineers It's like a scene from a gamer's wildest dreams: 12 high-definition, 55-inch 3D televisions all connected to a computer capable of supporting high-end, graphics-intensive gaming.
	Researchers invent smart window that tints and powers itself Nanyang Technological University (NTU) scientists have developed a smart window which can darken or brighten without the need for an external power source.
	BMW to reveal driverless innovations that allow for 360- degree collision avoidance and valet parking BMW will be showcasing new technology at next month's CES 2015 featuring a system meant to automatically eliminate all types of collisions and that also allows a car to park itself in multi-story parking garages. The system is based on four-laser technology and is meant to assist a human driver by automatically decreasing throttle or by applying brakes to avoid accidents and by taking over parking responsibilities altogether.
	NYC premiere of Rogen film canceled as threats fly (Update) (AP)—The blow that the hacking attack has dealt Sony is spreading beyond the entertainment corporation itself to theater chains and movie goers alike. And the financial toll is adding up too.
Philips to buy US medical imaging firm Volcano Royal Philips NV said Wednesday it has agreed to acquire U.S. medical equipment maker Volcano Corp. for $1.2 billion (around 1 billion euros) in a deal that would beef up its presence in technology which allows doctors to see inside patients' hearts and veins during treatment.
	The robot "Athena" carries new impulses for robotics research in its luggage Travelling from Los Angeles to Frankfurt onboard of Lufthansa flight LH 457, the passenger arrived on December 16, at 11.05 a.m. with no signs of jet lag: this was no ordinary holidaymaker, after all, but the first humanoid robot to take up a seat on a commercial flight. And despite causing quite a stir when boarding the plane in Los Angeles, Athena, dressed in a T-shirt and fetching red shoes, received no special treatment: like most of us, she flew economy class. During the nine-hour flight, the robotic creation was accompanied by scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems. Athena made her way from Los Angeles to Tübingen in order to acquire many new skills: standing, balancing, walking - and various other meaningful activities, which she can use to assist people in daily life.
China's Baidu invests in controversial taxi app Uber Chinese search engine Baidu, the country's equivalent of Google, announced Wednesday it has bought a stake in Uber for an undisclosed sum, as the controversial US web-based taxi app seeks to expand into an already crowded market.
	Hackers invoke 9/11 in new chilling Sony threat Hackers invoked the 9/11 attacks Tuesday in their most chilling threat yet against Sony Pictures, warning cinema-goers not to see a film which has angered North Korea.
	An innovative algorithm automatically finds the quickest way to calamity-affected sites using open-source map data A new mapping tool makes preparing for natural disasters and responding to their aftermath easier than ever. Researchers from the A*STAR Institute of High Performance Computing in Singapore have developed a computer model that analyzes networks of interconnected roads to predict the speediest routes for rescuers to take using real-time data uploaded by aid workers on the ground.
	Higher welding speed improves the quality of welds between dissimilar alloys Simple changes in technique can yield big improvements, say A*STAR researchers investigating how welding speed and the placement of materials affect the quality of welds between dissimilar alloys. They discovered that the tensile strength increases with increasing welding speed and becomes even higher when the softer alloy is placed on the advancing side of the weld.
	A technique to analyze production processes highlights the financial benefits of recycling A method developed by A*STAR for analyzing the financial benefits of incorporating the recycling and reuse of materials in manufacturing processes is expected to encourage more companies to adopt environmentally friendly production practices.
Fine tuning your campaign: Scientists conduct research into crowdfunding Platform ecosystems are a key focus of the research carried out in the Information Systems & E-Services Group headed by Professor Alexander Benlian in the Law and Economics Department at TU Darmstadt. Ferdinand Thies and Michael Wessel decided to dedicate themselves just over a year ago primarily to the study of crowdfunding - the collective financing of social, creative or commercial projects by a community of internet users. Crowdfunding campaigns generated around five million dollars of investment in 2013 and the market is set to grow further. These types of campaign are mostly organised by online platforms such as "Indiegogo" or "Kickstarter" that are currently also becoming established in Germany. The dynamics of what is happening on these platforms is a central field of research for Wessel and Thies.
Cook farm waste into energy It takes some cooking, but turning farm waste into biofuels is now possible and makes economic sense, according to preliminary research from the University of Guelph.
	BlackBerry launches Classic in last-ditch effort (AP)—BlackBerry is returning to its roots with a new phone that features a traditional keyboard at a time when rival Apple and Android phones—and most smartphone customers—have embraced touch screens.
	'Draw me a picture,' say scientists: Computer may respond Like the rest of us, scientists wish they could just ask a computer a question and have it respond with an answer presented in an easy-to-understand picture. Today's visualization tools can translate huge raw data sets into graphs and maps—but most scientists lack the time and training to use the tools effectively.
Stanford aims to bring player pianos back to life (AP)—Stanford University wants to unlock the secrets of the player piano, which brought recorded music into living rooms long before there were cassettes, compact discs or iPods.
	LA mayor plans 7,000 police body cameras in 2015 Mayor Eric Garcetti announced a plan Tuesday to equip 7,000 Los Angeles police officers with on-body cameras by next summer, making LA's police department the nation's largest law enforcement agency to move forward with such an ambitious expansion of the technology.
	Carmike Cinemas pulls 'The Interview' with Sony's support Carmike Cinemas has decided to cancel its planned showings of "The Interview" in the wake of threats against theatergoers by the Sony hackers.
	Napster co-founder to invest in allergy research (AP)—Napster co-founder Sean Parker missed most of his final year in high school and has ended up in the emergency room countless times because of his deadly allergy to nuts, shellfish and other foods.
	Developing a reliable wind 'super grid' for Europe EU researchers are involved in the development of a pan-European 'super grid' capable of dispersing wind power across Member States. This will bring more renewable energy into homes and businesses, help reduce reliance on fossil fuels and enable Europe to move closer towards achieving energy independence. This final point is an important consideration given that half the energy consumed in Europe in 2012 was imported from outside the EU.
	Technology turns eyewear into a smart device capable of displaying visual information Sony Corporation announces the development of an attachable Single-Lens Display Module that can turn eyewear of varying designs into smart devices.
Cloud computing helps make sense of cloud forests The forests that surround Campos do Jordao are among the foggiest places on Earth. With a canopy shrouded in mist much of time, these are the renowned cloud forests of the Brazilian state of São Paulo. It is here that researchers from the São Paulo Research Foundation—better known by its Portuguese acronym, FAPESP—have partnered with Rafael Olivier, professor of ecology at the University of Campinas, in an ambitious effort to understand the climate and ecology of these spectacular woodlands. Their aptly named Cloud Forest Project has both conservation and practical goals, as it seeks to understand how to protect one of Brazil's largest forested areas while learning to manage access to water and other natural resources more effectively.
	Video games have cultural cachet – so recognise their place in society and history The UK's video games industry body Tiga has called for the products to be treated like other creative industries such as television or film, rather than mere "software".
	Dish adds Netflix app to some of its set-top boxes (AP)—Dish is making it easier to watch video from an online rival, Netflix.
Sprint accused of billing for unwanted services (AP)—Federal regulators are accusing Sprint Corp. of illegally billing its wireless customers hundreds of millions of dollars in charges for text message alerts and other services that they didn't order.
	On Kickstarter, everyone wants to be 'Staff Pick' (AP)—Want your project to get selected as a "Staff Pick" on crowdfunding site Kickstarter? Good luck with that.
Belarus tightens control over online media (AP)—The Belarusian parliament has approved a bill that would allow authorities to shut Internet media if they carry content deemed illegal.

Medicine & Health news

	Thumbs-up for mind-controlled robotic arm (w/ Video) A paralysed woman who controlled a robotic arm using just her thoughts has taken another step towards restoring her natural movements by controlling the arm with a range of complex hand movements.
	'Microlesions' in epilepsy discovered by novel technique Using an innovative technique combining genetic analysis and mathematical modeling with some basic sleuthing, researchers have identified previously undescribed microlesions in brain tissue from epileptic patients. The millimeter-sized abnormalities may explain why areas of the brain that appear normal can produce severe seizures in many children and adults with epilepsy.
	Team gains new insight into how motor neurons in the brain die during ALS Researchers look to understand the causes of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), in the hope of finding new ways to treat the disease. A new study published online today in the Cell Press journal Neuron shows that a common gene mutation in ALS generates a deadly protein that may cause the damage in the brain that leads to ALS.
	Certainty in our choices often a matter of time, study finds When faced with making choices, but lack sufficient evidence to guarantee success, our brain uses elapsed time as a proxy for task difficulty to calculate how confident we should be, a team of neuroscientists has found. Their findings, which appear in the journal Neuron, help untangle the different factors that contribute to the decision-making process.
Stem cells faulty in Duchenne muscular dystrophy Like human patients, mice with a form of Duchenne muscular dystrophy undergo progressive muscle degeneration and accumulate connective tissue as they age. Now, researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine have found that the fault may lie at least partly in the stem cells that surround the muscle fibers.
	Multiple allergic reactions traced to single protein Johns Hopkins and University of Alberta researchers have identified a single protein as the root of painful and dangerous allergic reactions to a range of medications and other substances. If a new drug can be found that targets the problematic protein, they say, it could help smooth treatment for patients with conditions ranging from prostate cancer to diabetes to HIV. Their results appear in the journal Nature on December 17.
'Master regulator' gene—long tied to autism disorders—stimulates other genes in early brain development Chemical modifications to DNA's packaging—known as epigenetic changes—can activate or repress genes involved in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and early brain development, according to a new study to be published in the journal Nature on Dec. 18.
	Firearm violence trends in the 21st century While the overall death rate from firearm violence has remained unchanged for more than a decade, the patterns for suicide and homicide have changed dramatically, a UC Davis study on the epidemiology of gun violence from 2003 to 2012 has found. The study posted online in the Annual Review of Public Health on Dec. 12 and will appear in the print edition in January.
	Support for electronic health information varies with use (HealthDay)—Consent and purpose are important for public support of secondary uses of electronic health information, according to a study published in the Dec. 16 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
	Greater emphysema-like lung on CT linked to mortality (HealthDay)—For individuals without airflow obstruction or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), greater emphysema-like lung on computed tomography (CT) is associated with all-cause mortality, according to a study published in the Dec. 16 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
	When you lose weight, where does the fat go? Despite a worldwide obsession with diets and fitness regimes, many health professionals cannot correctly answer the question of where body fat goes when people lose weight, a UNSW Australia study shows.
Kids' cartoon characters twice as likely to die as counterparts in films for adults Principal cartoon characters are more than twice as likely to be killed off as their counterparts in films for adults released in the same year, reveals research from the University of Ottawa and University College London, published in the Christmas issue of The BMJ.
Nationwide project paves way for clinical genetic diagnosis The first nationwide project to genetically diagnose rare diseases will pave the way for translating advances in genomics into patient care in the NHS. Deciphering Developmental Disorders (DDD), a collaboration between the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, the UK Department of Health and regional genetics services, is working with 12,000 families to diagnose their child's developmental disorder, demonstrating the feasibility and value of introducing large-scale sequencing diagnostics into health care.
Combining images and genetic data proves gene loss behind aggressive ovarian cancers Cancer Research UK scientists have shown that loss of a gene called PTEN triggers some cases of an aggressive form of ovarian cancer, called high-grade serous ovarian cancer, according to a study published in Genome Biology today.
Predicting antibiotic resistance Treating bacterial infections with antibiotics is becoming increasingly difficult as bacteria develop resistance not only to the antibiotics being used against them, but also to ones they have never encountered before. By analyzing genetic and phenotypic changes in antibiotic-resistant strains of E. coli, researchers at the RIKEN Quantitative Biology Center (QBiC) in Japan have revealed a common set of features that appear to be responsible for the development of resistance to several types of antibiotics.
	Menus will sport new calorie labels for alcohol Don't want to be confronted with the number of calories in that margarita or craft beer? Then avoid the menu and order at the bar.
	Why not all Sydney siege survivors will need mental health help As the country reels from the Sydney siege and its unhappy end, many will be wondering what can be done for the hostages stuck for hours with the gunman in the Lindt café. The answer may be surprisingly little – especially if we want people to recover to a healthy psychological state.
Not just for the holidays, mistletoe could fight obesity-related liver disease Mistletoe hanging in doorways announces that the holidays are just around the corner. For some people, however, the symbolic plant might one day represent more than a kiss at Christmas time: It may mean better liver health. Researchers have found that a compound produced by a particular variety of the plant can help fight obesity-related liver disease in mice. Their study appears in ACS' Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.
	How mindfulness could give you the gift of a calmer Christmas In the run-up to Christmas we find our to-do lists bloated with added chores: present shopping, card writing, preparing to travel or receive guests. We are bombarded with adverts telling us what to buy and where. We tackle the shopping crowds searching for the perfect gift and the juiciest turkey. Our energy and purses are pulled in all directions while we limp on at work waiting for the holiday to arrive.
	A computer platform can pinpoint the genes behind rare diseases that have eluded diagnosis A computer program that cross-references disease symptoms with DNA sequencing data can detect the faulty genes responsible for rare disorders with greater accuracy than other methods. Developed by scientists at A*STAR, the software could provide a valuable tool for clinicians hoping to offer a genetic diagnosis for patients—especially children—with mysterious ailments.
	Smooth muscle cells designed to mimic blood vessels in the brain may help to understand Alzheimer's A technique to grow cells very similar to smooth muscle cells found in brain arteries, will make it easier to study the contribution of blood vessel disease to neurodegenerative conditions, a new study shows.
Why some antidepressants may initially worsen symptoms New research helps explain a paradoxical effect of certain antidepressants—that they may actually worsen symptoms before helping patients feel better. The findings, highlighted in a paper publishing online December 17 in the Cell Press journal Trends in Cognitive Sciences, may help investigators fix the problem as well as create new classes of drugs to treat depression.
	Time does not heal 'broken heart syndrome,' new research finds An acute heart condition previously thought to recover spontaneously does not necessarily heal with time, new Aberdeen research has found.
	Popular cosmetic fix may threaten bone density An off-label use of Botox has been found to be effective in relieving temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction syndrome and associated myofascial pain. But an oral radiologist at UConn Health is concerned that the short-term benefit may come at a price.
	New study finds multitasking isn't just for Millennials When it comes to the Millennial generation, multitasking with technology is as ubiquitous as Ugg boots and skinny jeans.
Confidence in your e-coach Blood pressure, blood coagulation, blood sugar level, heart rate, breathing rate, galvanic skin reaction or everything at once… there is scarcely a bodily function that we cannot continuously monitor ourselves at home or wherever we might be with a small device. And if we enter the measurement data into our app, our e-coach tells us what to do: which medicine we must take, that it is time to do some exercises, or even that we should register for the group fitness session that has been organised in our neighbourhood. Thanks to our measurement devices and friendly, virtual adviser, driven by a software program, we no longer need a doctor for routine check-ups. E-coaching is a care application that is still in its infancy, but that with better measurement methods and refined software could really take off in the future. It offers numerous advantages: more freedom of movement and self-management for the chronically ill, a more targe! ted deployment of doctors, cost savings and a wide availability of data for medical research.
	Chikungunya virus shuts down infected cells Researchers from Wageningen University, part of Wageningen UR, in collaboration with colleagues from Leiden University and a research team in Australia, have revealed how chikungunya virus blocks essential processes in infected cells that normally would keep the virus under control.
	Targeted computer games can change behavior of psychopaths Psychopaths generally do not feel fear and fail to consider the emotions of others, or reflect upon their behavior—traits that make them notoriously difficult to treat. However, a study published Dec. 18 in Clinical Psychological Science suggests it may be possible to teach psychopaths to consider emotion and other pieces of information when they make decisions. The results could form the basis of treatment for this group of dangerous prisoners—7 of 10 of whom go on to commit new crimes after being released.
Regulation of maternal miRNAs in early embryos revealed The Center for RNA Research at the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) has succeeded in revealing, for the first time, the mechanism of how miRNAs, which control gene expression, are regulated in the early embryonic stage.
	Christmas nostalgia produced by the act of remembering, not the actual memory Christmas triggers happy childhood memories for many people, but scientists claim it is not only the memory but the act of recalling it that sparks the warm feeling of nostalgia.
	Here's how the prion protein protects us The cellular prion protein (PrPC) has the ability to protect the brain's neurons. Although scientists have known about this protective physiological function for some time, they were lacking detailed knowledge of the molecular mechanism underlying it. This gap has been filled by a new SISSA study published in Antioxidants and Redox Signaling, the leading journal dedicated to the understanding of redox principles governing health and disease.
	Personality outsmarts intelligence at school Recent research at Griffith University has found that personality is more important than intelligence when it comes to success in education.
Growing shortage of stroke specialists seen Although stroke is the No. 4 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States, there's an increasing shortage of neurologists who specialize in stroke care.
Anti-diabetic drug springs new hope for tuberculosis patients A more effective treatment for tuberculosis (TB) could soon be available as scientists have discovered that Metformin (MET), a drug for treating diabetes, can also be used to boost the efficacy of TB medication without inducing drug resistance.
Hugs help protect against stress and infection, researchers say Instead of an apple, could a hug-a-day keep the doctor away? According to new research from Carnegie Mellon University, that may not be that far-fetched of an idea.
	Progeria research: Substance from broccoli can moderate defects Children who suffer from Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria syndrome age prematurely due to a defective protein in their cells. Scientists at Technische Universität München have now identified another important pathological factor: the system responsible for removing cellular debris and for breaking down defective proteins operates at lower levels in HGPS cells than in normal cells. The researchers have succeeded in reactivating protein breakdown in HGPS cells and thus reducing disease-related defects by using a substance from broccoli.
	Challenges ID'd in development of the physician compare website (HealthDay)—Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), information must be made available to allow the public to compare physicians, although there are considerable challenges surrounding the development of the physician performance website, Physician Compare. These challenges are addressed in a health policy brief published online Dec. 11 in Health Affairs.
	Texas infant dies of Legionnaires' disease after 'water birth' (HealthDay)—A new report on a Texas infant who died from Legionnaires' disease after being born in a whirlpool tub highlights the potential dangers of having a "water birth."
	Screening test finds drugs that show promise against Ebola (HealthDay)—A screening test has identified more than 50 drugs that could be helpful in treating people with Ebola, researchers report.
Despite risks, benzodiazepine use highest in older people Prescription use of benzodiazepines—a widely used class of sedative and anti-anxiety medications—increases steadily with age, despite the known risks for older people, according to a comprehensive analysis of benzodiazepine prescribing in the United States. Given existing guidelines cautioning health providers about benzodiazepine use among older adults, findings from the National Institutes of Health-funded study raise questions about why so many prescriptions—many for long-term use—are being written for this age group.
UK proposes rules for embryos made from 3 people (AP)—New rules proposed in Britain would make it the first country to allow embryos to be made from the DNA of three people in order to prevent mothers from passing on potentially fatal genetic diseases to their babies.
Heat boosts phthalate emissions from vinyl crib mattress covers The U.S. continues to look at the use and regulation of phthalates, which have been associated with health problems. Of particular concern is the safety of these plastic additives to children. A new study aims to improve our understanding of one possible exposure route for babies: vinyl crib mattress covers. Scientists report in ACS' Environmental Science & Technology that as these covers warm up, they emit more phthalates into the air.
Stroke patients experience superior outcomes with intra-arterial treatment vs. tPA Penumbra, Inc., the market leader in intra-arterial stroke treatment, announced that an independent study published online today in the New England Journal of Medicine found that intra-arterial stroke treatment, including the company's clot extraction technology, was shown to be significantly more effective than medical management with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), which is the current standard of care. The findings of this randomized, controlled comparative effectiveness trial of stroke treatment have the potential to change the standard of care and improve functional independence for the 15 million stroke patients worldwide who currently have few treatment options.
Orphan receptor proteins deliver 2 knock-out punches to glioblastoma cells Two related proteins exert a lethal double whammy effect against glioblastoma cells when activated with a small molecule, say researchers at Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Genetic variations associated with traits underlying type 2 diabetes in Mexican-Americans While people of Mexican ancestry are nearly twice as likely to develop Type 2 diabetes as people of European heritage, the majority of research in this area has focused on those of European origin.
	Study shows how breast cancer cells break free to spread in the body More than 90 percent of cancer-related deaths are caused by the spread of cancer cells from their primary tumor site to other areas of the body. A new study has identified how one important gene helps cancer cells break free from the primary tumor.
Cannabis-based medicine to be tested as child epilepsy therapy Children with severe epilepsy could be helped by a new treatment derived from the cannabis plant.
Rx drugs, 'bath salts,' fake pot and laundry pods lead millions to call poison centers National Poison Control Center data from 2012 show that poisonings from prescription drugs are the leading cause of injury death in the United States, and that poisonings from "bath salts," synthetic marijuana and laundry detergent pods are emerging threats to public health. The paper was published online Monday in Annals of Emergency Medicine.
Researchers identify new approach to diagnose blood clots in lungs of patients over 50 Researchers from Intermountain Medical Center in Salt Lake City have identified a new "sliding scale" model used to rule out potentially deadly blood clots in the lungs, known as pulmonary embolisms, that is more accurate than current diagnostic methods.
Study: Removing clot helps limit stroke disability For the first time in several decades, a new treatment has been shown to limit the damage from a common type of stroke. Researchers in the Netherlands found that mechanically removing a clot in addition to using a clot-busting medicine lowered the risk that a stroke sufferer would end up severely disabled.
Lens-free microscope can detect cancer at the cellular level UCLA researchers have developed a lens-free microscope that can be used to detect the presence of cancer or other cell-level abnormalities with the same accuracy as larger and more expensive optical microscopes.
	Genetic mutation found to cause ovarian insufficiency in women under 40 Premature ovarian failure, also known as primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), affects 1% of all women worldwide. In most cases, the exact cause of the condition, which is often associated with infertility, is difficult to determine.
	'Sugar-coated' microcapsule eliminates toxic punch of experimental anti-cancer drug Johns Hopkins researchers have developed a sugar-based molecular microcapsule that eliminates the toxicity of an anticancer agent developed a decade ago at Johns Hopkins, called 3-bromopyruvate, or 3BrPA, in studies of mice with implants of human pancreatic cancer tissue. The encapsulated drug packed a potent anticancer punch, stopping the progression of tumors in the mice, but without the usual toxic effects.
Airline pilots can be exposed to cockpit radiation similar to tanning beds Airline pilots can be exposed to the same amount of UV-A radiation as that from a tanning bed session because airplane windshields do not completely block UV-A radiation, according to a research letter published online by JAMA Dermatology.
Health coaching paired with gym membership works best for obese people with mental illness A health promotion program, called In SHAPE, specifically designed for people with serious mental illness, produced more fit participants and significant weight loss than a control group where participants only received a gym membership.
	High fitness level reduces chance of developing hypertension People with the highest fitness levels are less likely to develop hypertension, according to new research in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
Migraine may double risk for facial paralysis Migraine headache may double the risk of a nervous system condition that causes facial paralysis, called Bell's palsy, according to a new study published in the December 17, 2014, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
	Weigh-in once a week or you'll gain weight Stepping on the scale is common among dieters but how does the frequency of weigh-ins impact weight? A new study in PLOS ONE showed that the more frequently dieters weighed themselves the more weight they lost, and if participants went more than a week without weighing themselves, they gained weight.
	Low risk of malignancy for small complex adnexal masses (HealthDay)—For older women with small complex adnexal masses, the overall risk of malignancy is low, according to a study published in the December issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
	Preeclampsia prediction similar, modest with two algorithms (HealthDay)—Two algorithms offer similar and modest performance for predicting preeclampsia in nulliparous women at 11 to 13 weeks of gestation, according to a study published online Dec. 4 in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology.
	Hospital staff say 'Crisis mode' obstructs communication (HealthDay)—Staff members who perceive a work climate of crisis mode in their hospital units say that it leads to problems in exchanging patient information, according to research published online Dec. 10 in the Journal of Hospital Medicine.
	Outcomes best for early enrollment in cardiac rehab (HealthDay)—Early enrollment may improve outcomes in cardiac rehabilitation (CR), according to research published in the Dec. 15 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
New system targets germs in donated blood plasma (HealthDay)—A new system designed to eliminate germs in donated blood plasma and reduce the risk of transmitting a plasma-borne infection has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
	Only 4 in 10 americans eat heart-healthy nuts each day, CDC says (HealthDay)—Nutrition experts advocate including nuts in a heart-healthy diet, but a new study finds that about 60 percent of Americans don't consume these foods on a daily basis.
	Seniors still given potentially dangerous sedatives, study finds (HealthDay)—Doctors continue to prescribe sedatives such as Xanax or Valium for seniors despite the significant risks they pose, a new study contends.
	Neurologists say jury still out on medical marijuana's use for brain disorders (HealthDay)—It's too soon to tell whether medical marijuana can help treat neurological disorders such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease, the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) said in a new position statement released Wednesday.
Targeted next-generation sequencing reveals a high number of genomic mutations in advanced malignant Next generation sequencing in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) tumors shows a complex mutational setting with a high number of genetic alterations in genes involved in DNA repair, cell survival and cell proliferation pathways. Increased accumulation of mutations correlates with early progression of the tumor and decreased survival.
	A fresh setback for efforts to cure HIV infection Researchers are reporting another disappointment for efforts to cure infection with the AIDS virus. Six patients given blood-cell transplants similar to one that cured a man known as "the Berlin patient" have failed, and all six patients died.
New study outlines research priorities to improve the care of women with Female Genital Mutilation Further evidence on how to improve the care of women living with Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is urgently needed, suggests a new study, published today (17 December) in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (BJOG).
Severely mentally ill criminals: Who goes to prison and who goes to psych institutions? People with a severe mental disorder who commit a crime and who are incarcerated have different characteristics compared to people who are hospitalized after committing an offence. These are the findings of a study by researchers at the Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal (IUSMM) and the Institut Philippe-Pinel de Montréal (IPPM), affiliated with the University of Montreal.
Taiwan recalls tainted dried tofu in fresh food scare Taiwanese authorities ordered more than two tonnes of tofu be removed from shelves Wednesday over fears it could contain a banned industrial dye, in the island's latest food scandal.
Colorado funds medical marijuana research, a first (AP)—Colorado awarded more than $8 million for medical marijuana research Wednesday, a step toward addressing complaints that little is known about pot's medical potential.
	House searches for Ebola in Sierra Leone capital (AP)—Ebola surveillance teams fanned out Wednesday in Sierra Leone's capital to search for sick people, as the president imposed new restrictions on movement and gatherings in a bid to stop the disease's spread.
Findings on insomnia in children and cancer College of Nursing colleagues Ellyn Matthews, PhD, RN, AOCNS, CBSM, Madalynn Neu, PhD, RN, and Paul Cook, PhD, have published research findings on sleep among children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and their mothers.
Patient's loss of smell and taste were symptoms of Samter's triad disease After three unsuccessful surgeries and countless physician visits, Nadia Campbell still had no sense of taste or smell and suffered terrible sinus pain with a perpetual runny nose.
Managers' religious affiliation impacts hospital strategy Protestant non-profit hospitals in Germany offer fewer treatment types, but focus more on complex treatments. By contrast, Catholic German hospitals offer more treatment types but focus on less complex treatments. This is the outcome of research on German non-profit hospitals by Jens Prüfer and Lapo Filistrucchi from Tilburg University. "The management's religious affiliation impacts the hospital's strategy", Prüfer says.
	Who is responsible for healthy food? Unhealthy food causes obesity, diabetes and heart problems and costs society money. But who is responsible? Consumers who overeat or use too much fat, salt and sugar? Or producers who make all of that unhealthy food and market it? The two parties seem to have a stranglehold on each other. For the NWO's research programme Responsible Innovation an innovation scientist, a health expert and a social psychologist are trying to unravel this complex chicken-and-egg problem. They are charting how food producers can be persuaded to change their behaviour and at the same time how consumers perceive measures aimed at letting them eat more healthily. The foresight studies have now been completed. The researchers hope to be able to come up with concrete recommendations in a year's time.
Up to one million facing hunger in Ebola-hit countries: UN Border closures, quarantines and crop losses in West African nations battling the Ebola virus could lead to as many as one million people going hungry, UN food agencies said on Wednesday.
Is the label 'hypoallergenic' helpful or just marketing hype? Many consumers seek out shampoos, soaps and cosmetics that are labeled "hypoallergenic" or "dermatologist tested," words that imply the products are safe to use. But recent research gives shoppers reason to question what those labels really mean. Now some scientists and consumer advocates are calling for change, according to an article in Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN), the weekly newsmagazine of the American Chemical Society.
	Behavioral analysis of ISIS brutality presented in Violence and Gender journal The Sunni Islamist terror organization known as the Islamic State, or ISIS, uses extreme violence and brutality against anyone it perceives as a threat to its goal of expansion and restoration of an Islamic Caliphate. The significant behavioral aspects of this unparalleled violence and its implications for the future are explored in a compelling Review article published in Violence and Gender, a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers.
	Arkansas' model Medicaid experiment in jeopardy (AP)—Arkansas became the first southern state to expand its Medicaid program in a way that many Republicans found acceptable. The state bought private insurance for low-income people instead of adding them to the rolls of the Medicaid system, which GOP lawmakers considered bloated and inefficient.
3 tips to help use remaining health account funds Sunscreen may not top many shopping lists this time of year, but stocking up now can keep you from wasting money.
	Digital self-scheduling set to increase considerably by 2019 (HealthDay)—Digital self-scheduling is set to increase considerably in the next five years, according to a report published by Accenture.
Three weeks since last Ebola case in Mali: WHO Mali has not had a case of Ebola for three weeks, the World Health Organization said Wednesday, completing one of the two incubation periods the country needs to be declared free of the virus.
A survey of the general population in France identifies knowledge gaps in the perception of lung cancer A prospective nationwide survey on perceptions of lung cancer in the general population of France highlights a need for increased public education on the benefits of lung cancer screening, the good survival rates of early-stage disease and the improved outcomes with new therapeutic strategies, including targeted-therapies.

Biology news

	Origin of the Eukaryotic cell: Part II - Cytoskeleton, membranes, and beyond (Phys.org) —In Part I of our review of the new book "The Origin and Evolution of the Eukaryotic Cell" we talked about the acquisition of endosymbionts by cells. While there we focused on some of the genetic issues involved in acquiring mitochondria, here we want to focus on some of the other structural features that defined eukaryotic evolution. One approach that many of the chapter authors take is to examine the ways in which different bacterial and archaeal cells solve the universal problems of building membranes, organizing DNA, and constructing cilia or flagella to move things about. If prevailing intuitions are right, then once we are armed with sufficient knowledge regarding which primitive bacteria bear the rudimentary traces of the major innovations that define eukaryotic cells then the one true evolutionary path should be laid bare before us.
	Study shows starving mantis females attract more males A study done by Katherine Barry an evolutionary biologist with Macquarie University in Australia has led to the discovery that a certain species of female mantis attracts more males when starving, then do those who are well fed. In her paper published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, she describes experiments she carried out that contradicted conventional thinking.
	New analysis of DNA evidence contradicts claims of 'Yeti' brown/polar bear hybrid in Himalayas (Phys.org)—A pair of researches are challenging claims made by a British scientist last year that DNA samples of animal remains found in the Himalayas were from a brown/extinct polar bear hybrid that is still alive and wandering about in the mountains—and is likely the source of rumors of a Yeti. Now, Ross Barnett and Ceiridwen Edwards of the Natural History Museum of Denmark and Oxford, respectively, have published a paper in Proceedings of the Royal Society B suggesting that an analysis they conducted on the same animal remains shows that one came from a modern polar bear and the other from a rare type of brown bear that is still alive today.
	Herd mentality: Are we programmed to make bad decisions? A natural desire to be part of the 'in crowd' could damage our ability to make the right decisions, a new study has shown.
	Oldest fish on record caught off Albany Commercial fisherman Tony Little caught WA's oldest fish on record in the deep waters of Two People's Canyon, off the coast of Albany.
	Bugs life: The nerve cells that make locusts 'gang up' A team of biologists has identified a set of nerve cells in desert locusts that bring about 'gang-like' gregarious behaviour when they are forced into a crowd.
New study offers novel insights into pathogen behavior A new study by a team of researchers that includes University of Notre Dame scientists Joshua Shrout and Mark Alber provides new insights into the behavior of an important bacterial pathogen.
	New conversion process turns biomass 'waste' into lucrative chemical products (w/ Video) A new catalytic process is able to convert what was once considered biomass waste into lucrative chemical products that can be used in fragrances, flavorings or to create high-octane fuel for racecars and jets.
	Uphill battle to tackle Indonesian shark fishing Sharks are hauled ashore every day at a busy market on the central Indonesian island of Lombok, the hub of a booming trade that provides a livelihood for local fishermen but is increasingly alarming environmentalists.
	Dutch barnacle geese have more active immune system than same species in the North Bird migration is an impressive phenomenon, but why birds often travel huge distances to and from their breeding grounds in the far North is still very unclear. Suggestions include that the birds profit from longer daylight hours, or that there are fewer predators.
AncestryDNA reconstructs partial genome of person living 200 years ago AncestryDNA genetic scientists have pushed the boundaries of human genome reconstruction methods by using the DNA of many living people to reassemble an unprecedented proportion of the human genome attributed to a 19th Century American and his two successive spouses. This scientific feat is a step forward in the use of consumer genetics in family history, providing a glimpse into what a long ago ancestor may have looked like or which traits they may have passed down to descendants.
	Better focus at the micro world: A low-budget focus stacking system for mass digitization A team of Belgian researchers constructed a focus stacking set-up made of consumer grade products with better end results than high-end solutions and this at only a tenth of the prize of current existing systems. Because of the operational ease, speed and the low cost of the system, it is ideal for mass digitization programs involving type specimens. The study was published in the open-access journal ZooKeys.
Contrasting views of kin selection assessed In an article to be published in the January issue of BioScience, two philosophers tackle one of the most divisive arguments in modern biology: the value of the theory of "kin selection."
	Protections blocked, but sage grouse work goes on (AP)—U.S. wildlife officials will decide next year whether a wide-ranging Western bird species needs protections even though Congress has blocked such protections from taking effect, Interior Secretary Sally Jewell said Wednesday.
	Policy action urgently needed to protect Hawaii's dolphins The best way to protect wild spinner dolphins in Hawaii while also maintaining the local tourism industry that depends on them is through a combination of federal regulations and community-based conservation measures, finds a new study from Duke University.
Essential oils help control fungus growth in Argentinian corn Argentina is the second highest corn producing country in the world. But because of the slow drying process in corn kernels and wet weather conditions in Argentina, corn grown there can easily become infected with fungus. A new study in the Journal of Food Science published by the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) found that the essential oils from oregano can have an antifungal effect on corn.
	African swine fever threatens Europe African swine fever, or ASF, is a viral disease that kills almost every pig it infects and is likened to Ebola. It gained a foothold in Georgia in 2007, when contaminated pig meat landed from a ship from South-East Africa and was fed to local pigs. From there, it spread to Russia, Belarus and spilled over the border of the European Union, showing up sporadically in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland, this year. Now, a project funded by the EU is seeking to better understand the deadly pig virus and try to develop a vaccine for the disease. The project, called ASFORCE, brings 18 partners together to try give vets, pig farmers and policy makers scientific insights and practical tools to stop the disease spreading.

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