Science X Newsletter Thursday, Jan 15

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for January 15, 2015:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Water-soluble silicon leads to dissolvable electronics
- Roller coaster geese: Insights into high altitude bird flight physiology and biomechanics
- Rice-sized laser, powered one electron at a time, bodes well for quantum computing
- Charge instability detected across all types of copper-based superconductors
- Could our brain instruct our bodies to burn more fat?
- Planets outside our solar system more hospitable to life than thought
- Extending Einstein's spooky action for use in quantum networks
- Tiny plant fossils a window into Earth's landscape millions of years ago
- Puerto Rico market pilot set for Project Ara phone
- New planetary dashboard shows 'Great Acceleration' in human activity since 1950
- Tumor suppressor protein plays key role in maintaining immune balance
- Liquids and glasses relax, too: But not like you thought
- Gold nanoparticles show promise for early detection of heart attacks
- For sea turtles, there's no place like magnetic home
- Team finds how midbrain map continuously updates visuospatial memory

Astronomy & Space news

	Planets outside our solar system more hospitable to life than thought A study by astrophysicists at the University of Toronto suggests that exoplanets - planets outside our solar system - are more likely to have liquid water and be more habitable than we thought.
	Crystal-rich rock 'Mojave' is next Mars drill target (Phys.org)—A rock target where NASA's Curiosity Mars rover is using its sample-collection drill this week may have a salty story to tell.
	Astronauts' year-long mission will test limits (Update) Two men are about to spend a year at the orbiting International Space Station, in an experiment that will test the limits of the human body and mind.
	What are the biggest telescopes in the world (and space)? When you want to watch the sky, size really matters. The more light a telescope can collect, the more information we can get about stars, galaxies, quasars, or whatever the heck else we want to take a look at.
	See an astronomical event that only happens once every 26 years A truly fascinating event may be in the offing this month.
	Trans-Neptunian objects suggest that there are more planets in the solar system There could be at least two unknown planets hidden well beyond Pluto, whose gravitational influence determines the orbits and strange distribution of objects observed beyond Neptune. This has been revealed by numerical calculations made by researchers at the Complutense University of Madrid and the University of Cambridge. If confirmed, this hypothesis would revolutionise solar system models.
	UM researcher helps NASA get the dirt on soil moisture During the early-morning hours on Tuesday, Jan. 29, NASA will launch a satellite that will peer into the topmost layer of Earth's soils to measure the hidden waters that influence our ecosystems weather and climate.

Technology news

	Puerto Rico market pilot set for Project Ara phone Ara Project lead Paul Eremenko had news about where Ara is headed this week at the second Ara Developer Conference in Cupertino, California. Puerto Rico is the first key stop. Google is to test its build-it-yourself smartphone in Puerto Rico before any global launch is announced. The pilot will kick off later this year in partnership with carriers OpenMobile and Claro. Consumers with enough enthusiasm to mix-and-match phone parts will be able to take advantage of what the Ara enthusiasts call a "modular hardware ecosystem." The Ara premise is to satisfy and provide an alternative to such questions as, why feel stuck with your handset hardware design and its parts? What if you could pick the camera you want for your phone rather than picking your phone for the camera? What if you could choose a camera from one manufacturer, a display from another, until you get the phone you want?
	Facebook testing workplace version of social network Facebook said it is testing a version of its leading social network tailored for getting jobs done in workplaces instead of tuning into the lives of friends.
	Lower-cost navigation system developed for self-driving cars A new software system developed at the University of Michigan uses video game technology to help solve one of the most daunting hurdles facing self-driving and automated cars—the high cost of the laser scanners they use to determine their location.
	Google Glass sales stopping - for now (Update) Google said on Thursday it is halting sales of its Internet-linked eyewear Glass but insisted the technology would live on in a future consumer product.
	Perovskites provide big boost to silicon solar cells Stacking perovskites onto a conventional silicon solar cell dramatically improves the overall efficiency of the cell, according to a new study led by Stanford University scientists.
	Plant-e makes street lights come alive from living plants Living plants generate electricity; more specifically, energy can come in the form of a byproduct of photosynthesis in plants. All that is needed is light, carbon dioxide and water. Plant-e is a company that builds on that potential source of energy, aiming to do business with products that can generate electricity from plants. Based on natural processes electrons are harvested from the soil and electricity is produced while plants keep growing. The approach they use does not require damaging the plant in order to harness its energy.
	Facebook founder in Colombia to promote affordable Internet Improved Internet access can be a force for peace, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg said Wednesday during a trip to Colombia to promote his project to boost web availability for two-thirds of the world not yet connected.
	Q&A: How Internet.org aims to connect the world's poor Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg was in Colombia to launch a project to boost web access globally, something he said can be a force for peace.
Why a Samsung takeover of Blackberry could make sense Samsung and Blackberry have splashed frigid water on a report that Samsung wants to make a $7.5 billion takeover offer for the struggling Canadian device maker. That, however, did not stop tech industry watchers from dissecting all the possibilities.
	Silicon Valley firms in agreement over non-poaching accord Apple, Google, Intel and Adobe are prepared to reach a $415 million settlement with several plaintiffs over charges they colluded not to hire each others' employees, the New York Times reported Thursday.
Expert discusses how low gasoline prices can influence fuel efficiency policies The Environmental Protection Agency earlier this year touted its Fuel Economy Trends Report that found new vehicles produced in 2013 had achieved the highest fuel economy of all time. However, a recent sharp drop in U.S. gasoline prices has experts questioning how this could affect broader fuel economy and energy-efficiency policies and efforts.
	China's Xiaomi takes aim at Apple with new phone Rising smartphone star Xiaomi is moving upmarket and taking aim at Apple's iPhone.
	China taxi booking app raises $600 mn for expansion The operator of one of China's leading taxi booking apps, Kuaidi Dache, has raised $600 million for expansion, a statement said Thursday, even as the government tightens control over such services.
	Evolutionary approaches to big-data problems The AnyScale Learning For All (ALFA) Group at MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) aims to solve the most challenging big-data problems—questions that go beyond the scope of typical analytics. ALFA applies the latest machine learning and evolutionary computing concepts to target very complex problems that involve high dimensionality.
	Air travel is safe and getting safer – whatever else you might have read If you've been following the news it might seem like there's been a lot of air crashes recently. It might seem that flying has become a risky business.
	Buying fake accounts won't get you anywhere on Twitter Two of Scotland's leading politicians illustrate an interesting phenomenon on Twitter. In the wake of the Scottish National Party's surge in popularity following the independence referendum, Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond have both gained large numbers of followers. Both have now amassed more than 100,000 each, with Salmond out in front with about 139,000. A high proportion of them are fakes, however.
	If you seek to 'switch off' encryption, you may as well switch off the whole internet Prime Minister David Cameron has stated that the UK government will look at "switching off" some forms of encryption in order to make society safer from terror attacks. This might make a grand statement but it is impossible to implement and extremely technologically naïve.
	Out with the keyboard as talk takes over typing With the recent acquisition by Facebook of voice-recognition company Wit.ai, all four major players in the post-PC market (Apple, Google, Microsoft and Facebook) now have a significant infrastructure for hands-free communication with your device.
	Dubai launches 200-Megawatt solar plant project Dubai launched a project Thursday to build a solar plant to produce 200 megawatt of electricity, as part of plans to generate five percent of the emirate's power from renewables by 2030.
India's TCS profits rise on US, European deals India's biggest outsourcing firm Tata Consultancy Services on Thursday reported a 5.1 percent rise in quarterly net profits, driven by demand in its key markets of the United States and Europe.
	Instrument housing produced with 3-D printed mould 3D printing offers engineers various ways to construct hardware that simply could not be built in any other manner – such as this single-piece casing to house an optical instrument for Earth observations.
	Huge 3D displays without 3D glasses A new kind of display uses laser beams to send out different pictures into different directions. Each pixel contains lasers and a moving mirror, which directs the laser light. Different pictures can be sent to the right and the left eye of each viewer, so that 3-D effects become possible without the need for special glasses. A prototype has successfully been built, the technology is expected to become widely available in 2016.
Science panel: no alternative to bulk collection A committee of scientific experts has concluded that there is no viable technological alternative to bulk collection of data by the National Security Agency that allows analysts access to communications whose significance only becomes clear years later.
	Facebook sharing can boost involvement with news and information People who share news on social media sites may connect more with that information—and stay connected longer—than people who casually read the news, according to a team of researchers.
	Argonne model analyzes biofuel impacts A new version of an online tool created by the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory will help biofuels developers gain a detailed understanding of water consumption of various types of feedstocks, aiding development of sustainable fuels that will reduce impact on limited water resources.
	Ten news organizations join drone-test program Ten US media organizations including the New York Times and Washington Post announced a coalition Thursday to test drones for news gathering in collaboration with Virginia Tech University.
	Training the next generation of power engineers Most people only think about the electricity that powers our homes and gadgets when it isn't there. When the power is humming, we tend to take it for granted. The trouble is, the network that delivers the electricity to keep our lights on, known as the grid, is sometimes pushed to its limits. High demand can lead to blackouts and increased operational costs. At the same time, the grid is being asked to do more than just distribute power in today's interconnected world.
	'Blackhat' brings cyber security to big screen American director Michael Mann is making a grand return to theaters with "Blackhat", a timely cyber-terrorism action flick starring Chris Hemsworth.
Review: Tablo DVR and Winegard Flatwave antenna make cutting the cord a little easier If there's a lesson I've learned from my cord-cutting experiments, it's that there are many types of over-the-air TV antennas, and finding the right one can be a challenge.
Vietnamese leader says banning social media sites impossible Vietnam's prime minister said Thursday that it is impossible to ban social media such as Facebook so authorities in the communist nation instead should provide correct information to inform public opinion.
	Entrepreneurs succeed in transforming used PET into mineral paper In order to cut down fewer trees and avoid wasting water, a group of young Mexicans designed a system that converts used PET bottles into mineral paper or peta paper, which is biodegradable and meets quality standards required to print books, boxes and general stationery.
	France sees 19,000 cyberattacks since terror rampage Hackers have targeted about 19,000 French websites since a rampage by Islamic extremists left 20 dead last week, a top French cyberdefense official said Thursday as the president tried to calm the nation's inflamed religious tensions.
	Berkeley Lab's list of Top 50 game-changing technologies for defeating poverty Since the polio vaccine was introduced in the 1950s, one of the most dreaded diseases in history has been all but eradicated. Are there other scientific breakthroughs that could have an equally transformative impact on global human development, and if so, what are they?
Research for the energy turnaround Mandated by the Federal Council, the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) is launching two National Research Programmes (NRPs) to explore scientific and technological as well as social and economic aspects of implementing Energy Strategy 2050. Coordinated energy research is a cornerstone of Energy Strategy 2050: it supports the substantial reduction of energy consumption, promotes new technologies, explores the social context and boosts research and business in Switzerland.
	World's most powerful electrical testing system unveiled Florida State University's Center for Advanced Power Systems has unveiled a new 24,000-volt direct current power test system, the most powerful of its kind available at a university research center throughout the world.
Six tips to reduce headaches as you wrap up holiday returns Didn't like that boring beige sweater your aunt gave you as a holiday gift?
Obama to answer queries on YouTube after annual speech President Barack Obama will answer questions from YouTube creators in a live interview two days after his State of the Union address, the Google-owned video service said Thursday.

Medicine & Health news

	Could our brain instruct our bodies to burn more fat? By uncovering the action of two naturally occurring hormones, scientists may have discovered a way to assist in the shedding of excess fat.
	Scientists find how cancers can evade treatment The drugs were designed to keep cancer cells at bay by preventing their growth, survival and spread. Yet, after clinical trials, they left scientists scratching their heads and drug developers watching their investments succumb to cancer's latest triumph.
	Drug injection protects monkeys from vaginal HIV infection A monthly injection of an experimental anti-retroviral drug protected female monkeys from vaginal infection by a simian form of HIV, according to two new studies.
	Protein involved in hibernation protects against neurodegeneration in mice Researchers at the Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit at the University of Leicester have identified a molecular mechanism that helps protect brain cells against a fall in core body temperature, which also appears to protect against neurodegeneration in mice.
	Alzheimer's plaques reduced by targeting sugar attachment to the BACE1 enzyme Researchers at the RIKEN-Max Planck Joint Research Center in Japan have demonstrated that hallmark symptoms of Alzheimer's disease can be reduced when sugars are prevented from binding to one of the key enzymes implicated in the disease. The new findings, reported in EMBO Molecular Medicine, show that abnormal attachment of a particular sugar to the enzyme BACE1 is a critical factor leading to the formation of Aβ plaques in the brain, and that plaques were reduced and cognitive performance improved when this action was prevented in mice through loss of the enzyme GnT-III. In doing so, this work has revealed a novel mechanism for Alzheimer's disease development, potentially opening the way to a new approach for treatment.
	Environment, not genes, dictates human immune variation, research finds A study of twins conducted by Stanford University School of Medicine investigators shows that our environment, more than our heredity, plays the starring role in determining the state of our immune system, the body's primary defense against disease. This is especially true as we age, the study indicates.
	Team finds how midbrain map continuously updates visuospatial memory On the upcoming Super Bowl Sunday, a lot of us will be playing arm-chair quarterback. After the snap, we might use our eyes to track a wide receiver as he runs toward an opening, all the while remembering the location of the star running back in case he breaks through on a rushing play. This natural ability to track one moving player but be ready to quickly look back toward another one sounds simple.
	Vaccine-induced CD4 T cells have adverse effect in a mouse model of infection A study led by investigators at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) has found that a vaccine that elicits only CD4 T cells against a mouse model of a chronic viral infection results in an overwhelming—and lethal—inflammatory response. Reported in the January 16, 2015 issue of the journal Science, the new findings provide a cautionary tale for the development of vaccines aimed at eliciting robust CD4 T cell immunity against chronic infections, including HIV.
	Study identifies new targeted treatment strategy for some aggressive cancers Researchers from the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Cancer Center and Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have identified the first potential treatment targeting a pathway by which several aggressive tumors maintain their ability to proliferate. Treatment with a small molecule that blocks a key step in that pathway - the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) pathway - was able to inhibit the growth and survival of ALT-positive tumor cells.
	Tumor suppressor protein plays key role in maintaining immune balance St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists have discovered that a protein widely known for suppressing tumor formation also helps prevent autoimmune diseases and other problems by putting the brakes on the immune response. The research was published recently online ahead of print in the scientific journal Nature Immunology.
	What causes brain problems after traumatic brain injury? Studies have a surprising answer A new paper by researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UM SOM) argues that there is a widespread misunderstanding about the true nature of traumatic brain injury and how it causes chronic degenerative problems.
	Study: Fewer struggle with medical costs as coverage grows Not only do more Americans have health insurance, but the number struggling with medical costs has dropped since President Barack Obama's health care law expanded coverage, according to a study released Thursday.
Dehydration common among patients admitted to hospital from care homes London (Friday 16th January 2015) Research published today by the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine concludes that patients admitted to hospital from care homes are commonly dehydrated on admission and consequently appear to experience significantly greater risks of in-hospital mortality.
Does screening asymptomatic adults for disease save lives? New paper published online today in the International Journal of Epidemiology says that randomized controlled trials (the gold standard method of evaluation) show that few currently available screening tests for major diseases where death is a common outcome have documented reductions in disease-specific mortality.
	Difficult behavior in young children may point to later problems It's normal for a young child to have tantrums and be otherwise disruptive, but researchers have found that if such behavior is prolonged or especially intense, the child may have conduct disorder, a childhood psychiatric problem that could be a harbinger of antisocial behavior.
	New sequencing technique reveals genetic clues to rare breast tumors A new study from researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center characterizes the genetic underpinnings of a rare type of breast tumor called phyllodes tumors, offering the first comprehensive analysis of the molecular alterations at work in these tumors.
	'Molecular truck' could deliver new treatment University of Arizona researchers have developed a novel drug and delivery system to treat inflammation and ulcerations in the colon.
	US painkiller abuse 'epidemic' may be declining, study says (HealthDay)—The U.S. "epidemic" of prescription-painkiller abuse may be starting to reverse course, a new study suggests.
	Hospital infection rates falling, but more improvement needed: CDC (HealthDay)—Rates of many types of hospital-acquired infections are on the decline, but more work is needed to protect patients, according to a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report.
	Guidance offered for ethical referrals within ACOs (HealthDay)—For accountable care organizations (ACOs), referrals within the ACO can be ethical as long as their selection is influenced in a manner that is transparent, with appropriate metrics and the right incentives, according to a perspective piece published in the Jan. 15 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
	Rationale for overriding best practice alerts highly diverse (HealthDay)—A wide range of physician-reported rationales drive overrides of best practice alerts (BPAs) for blood product transfusions, according to research published in the January issue of the Journal of Hospital Medicine.
	Obesity up in past decade, but diabetes incidence stable (HealthDay)—Trends show that diabetes incidence has stayed higher in recent decades than it was in the 1970s, although in the past decade, diabetes incidence remained steady despite the ongoing trend of rising adiposity, according to research published online Dec. 31 in Diabetes Care.
	Antenatal corticosteroid use up, even when not optimal (HealthDay)—From 1988 to 2012, there were increases in the rates of optimal, suboptimal, and questionably appropriate administration of antenatal corticosteroids, according to a study published online Jan. 7 in Obstetrics & Gynecology.
	Study examines trends in tracheotomy malpractice suits (HealthDay)—Malpractice litigation relating to complications from tracheotomies can result in high award amounts, especially in pediatric cases, according to a study published online Dec. 18 in Head & Neck.
	Aerobic exercise reduces fatigue with radiotherapy for breast CA (HealthDay)—An aerobic exercise program can reduce fatigue in women undergoing radiotherapy for breast cancer, according to a study published in the January issue of the Journal of Clinical Nursing.
	The roles of human-to-human transmission and 'super spreaders' in controlling Lassa fever One in five cases of Lassa fever – a disease that kills around 5,000 people a year in West Africa – could be due to human-to-human transmission, with a large proportion of these cases caused by 'super-spreaders', according to research published today in the journal PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases.
	Baby, we've come a long way in measuring lung function An international team of researchers has developed a simple, non-invasive way to measure the impact of smoking during pregnancy on babies' lung development.
	Preschool attendance boosts language in disadvantaged children All children with early language problems are at increased risk of struggling at school, and having reduced employment opportunities and life chances, but the risk of early language problems is disproportionately high for children from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds.
	Life at higher elevation linked to lower incidence of lung cancer, study suggests Here's another potential reason to live up in the mountains. Lung cancer rates in both smokers and non-smokers are lower in higher-elevation counties in the western part of the United States, suggesting that oxygen may promote the incidence of lung cancer, according to a new study co-authored by a student at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.
Scientists developing speedy test for autism spectrum disorder Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute scientists have developed a brain-imaging technique that may be able to identify children with autism spectrum disorder in just two minutes.
Discovery of CLPB gene associated with new pediatric mitochondrial syndrome A new study published in the American Journal of Human Genetics demonstrates the continued important contributions from the Center for Pediatric Genomic Medicine at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Mo. The study describes a new pediatric mitochondrial syndrome and discovery of the responsible gene, called CLPB.
	Good things come to those who wait? More serotonin, more patience In a study published today in the journal Current Biology, a team of scientists, led by Zachary Mainen at the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown (CCU), found a causal link between the activation of serotonin neurons and the amount of time mice are willing to wait, and rejected a possible link between increased serotonin neuron activation and reward.
Scientists identify novel precursor to neurodegeneration Alteration of lipid metabolism in brain cells promotes the formation of lipid droplets that presage the loss of neurons, said researchers from Baylor College of Medicine and the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital in a report that appears online in the journal Cell.
	Contraceptive study seeks to reduce unintended pregnancies A major four-year trial will offer GPs across Victoria specialised training on contraception to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies by increasing uptake of Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs).
New study looking to detect and treat hoarding disorder in childhood Hoarding is a debilitating disorder that can have a devastating impact on those with the condition, their families and the community.
	Booking a trip to the ER on your smartphone? It's a breeze It's like OpenTable for medical appointments. No waiting weeks to see a dermatologist. No sitting for hours in the emergency room. No frantic calls to find a family doctor with openings.
	Epilepsy treatment could yield cure for McArdle disease WA scientists may have found a cure for the crippling muscle condition McArdle disease, using a drug already approved for use in humans.
Intermittent preventive antimalarial treatment for children with anaemia Researchers from Tanzania and South Africa, who are part of the Cochrane Infectious Disease Group, hosted at LSTM, have conducted an independent review to assess the effect of intermittent preventive antimalarial treatment (IPT) for children with anaemia living in malaria endemic regions. This is a strategy of giving a treatment dose of antimalarial drugs to children at regular intervals just in case they have become infected.
	When heavy metals go off-kilter: Study in C. elegans shows excess iron promotes aging It's been known for decades that some metals, including iron, accumulate in human tissues during aging and that toxic levels of iron have been linked to neurologic diseases, such as Parkinson's. Common belief has held that iron accumulation happens as a result of the aging process. But research in the nematode C. elegans in the Lithgow lab at the Buck Institute shows that iron accumulation itself may also be a significant contributor to the aging process, causing dysfunction and malfolding of proteins already implicated in the aging process. The research is online in Aging
	Hope for muscular dystrophy patients: Harnessing gene helps repair muscle damage Researchers have successfully improved the ability of muscle to repair itself - by artificially increasing levels of the BMI1 gene in the muscle-specific stem cells of mice with muscular dystrophy.
	What makes pancreatic cancer so aggressive? New study sheds light New research from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center helps explain why pancreatic cancer is so lethal, with fewer than a third of patients surviving even early stage disease.
Researchers develop novel approach to visualize, measure protein complexes in tumors Cancer diagnosis and treatment decisions are often hampered by a lack of knowledge of the biological processes occurring within the tumor. Moffitt Cancer Center researchers have developed a new approach to analyze these processes with a technique called proximity ligation assays (PLA). PLA allows specific protein complexes to be visualized and measured in cancer specimens. This may aid in patient treatment decisions in the future.
	Up to eight percent of South Asians carry gene mutation that causes heart attacks Up to 8 percent of people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and other South Asian countries carry a mutated gene that causes heart failure and potentially fatal heart attacks.
New approach to preventing fibrosing strictures in IBD A natural protein made by immune cells may limit fibrosis and scarring in colitis, according to research published in the inaugural issue of Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the new basic science journal of the American Gastroenterological Association.
	People can be convinced they committed a crime that never happened Evidence from some wrongful-conviction cases suggests that suspects can be questioned in ways that lead them to falsely believe in and confess to committing crimes they didn't actually commit. New research provides lab-based evidence for this phenomenon, showing that innocent adult participants can be convinced, over the course of a few hours, that they had perpetrated crimes as serious as assault with a weapon in their teenage years.
CNIO scientists discover a novel molecular mechanism involved in the formation of the skin The formation of human skin involves a cascade of biochemical signals, which are not well understood. However, they are very important since their failure may cause diseases, such as Atopic Dermatitis and skin cancers, which affect more than 25% of the human population. CNIO researchers now discovered a new mechanism that regulates the differentiation of keratinocytes, the cells that make up most of the epidermis of the skin. Additionally, they show that this mechanism might be involved in skin cancer.
Study finds that opioids administered in the ER don't influence patient satisfaction A new study co-authored by investigators at the University of Massachusetts Medical School found that there is no correlation between opioids administered in the emergency room setting and Press Ganey ED patient satisfaction scores, one of the most commonly used metrics for measuring patient satisfaction. Based on these findings, the study's authors suggest that emergency room clinicians should administer pain medications in the emergency room setting according to clinical and patient factors without being concerned about negative Press Ganey ED patient satisfaction scores.
Doctors who use health information technology are 'slightly' more likely to get patient data Physicians who use health information technology (HIT) systems are only slightly more likely to receive the patient information they need to provide coordinated care, reports a study in the January issue of Medical Care.
Folic acid saves 1,300 babies each year from serious birth defects of brain and spine Fortifying grain foods with the B vitamin folic acid has saved about 1,300 babies every year from being born with serious birth defects of the brain and spine known as neural tube defects (NTDs), according to new data published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in its publication Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).The number of babies born in the United States with these conditions has declined by 35 percent since 1998.
	Healthy diet associated with lower risk of type 2 diabetes in minority women Consuming a healthy diet was associated with reduced risk for type 2 diabetes among women in all racial and ethnic groups but conferred an even greater benefit for Asian, Hispanic, and black women, according to a new study by researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Brigham and Women's Hospital.
Eczema woes not just skin deep Eczema wreaks havoc on its sufferers' lives with health problems that are more than skin deep. Adults who have eczema—a chronic itchy skin disease that often starts in childhood—have higher rates of smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages and obesity and are less likely to exercise than adults who don't have the disease, reports a new Northwestern Medicine study.
	Study warns about bisphenol A substitutes Two substitutes for bisphenol A, a plastic ingredient banned in some countries over health fears, are also a source of concern, French researchers warned Thursday.
	Flu vaccine not working well; only 23 percent effective As predicted, this year's flu vaccine is doing a pretty crummy job. It's only 23 percent effective, primarily because it doesn't include the bug that is making most people sick, according to a government study released Thursday.
Estimating the best time of year for malaria interventions in Africa New methods for analysing malaria transmission can estimate the best time of year to carry out campaigns such as mass drug treatment and spraying of houses with insecticide.
Increasing reach of treatment for STIs through expedited partner therapy A public health program in the US State of Washington promoting the use of expedited partner therapy (EPT)—the treatment, without medical evaluation, of sex partners of patients diagnosed with a curable STI—increased EPT use and may have reduced rates of STI in the population, though the intervention's effectiveness in reducing STIs in the general population requires further confirmation, according to a study published this week in PLOS Medicine. Matthew Golden, from the University of Washington in Seattle, USA, and colleagues randomly assigned 23 of 25 local health jurisdictions in Washington to one of four study groups, rolled out the program sequentially at 6-8 month intervals, and compared outcomes between groups and within groups before and after the intervention.
New study reveals crippling financial burden of leprosy Households affected by leprosy face being pushed further into poverty as a result of loss of earnings and treatment costs, according to the first ever study of the economic burden of a common complication of the disease.
	Vitamin D protects against colorectal cancer by boosting the immune system A new study by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute investigators demonstrates that vitamin D can protect some people with colorectal cancer by perking up the immune system's vigilance against tumor cells.
	A fatty acid used to decode weight control Obesity can be described as an excess of fat leading to metabolic diseases and adipose tissue has a pivotal role in obesity and its related complications.
UK doctors facing complaints dogged by severe depression and suicidal thoughts UK doctors subject to complaints procedures are at significant risk of becoming severely depressed and suicidal, reveals research published in the online journal BMJ Open.
Six more California measles cases tied to Disney outbreak California health officials confirmed that six new measles cases are connected to an outbreak at Disney theme parks last month, bringing the total number of illnesses to 32.
Ebola spread slowing in hard-hit countries: WHO The World Health Organization expressed optimism Thursday after fresh figures showed the three west African countries ravaged by Ebola had all seen a clear drop in new cases of the deadly virus.
	US birth rate continues decline, CDC reports (HealthDay)—The U.S. birth rate remained at an all-time low in 2013, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Thursday.
Women who experience postpartum depression before giving birth may face greater risk When it comes to postpartum depression, one size does not fit all, according to a new study led by University of North Carolina School of Medicine researchers.
Treating non-healing bone fractures with stem cells A new device that can rapidly concentrate and extract young cells from irrigation fluid used during orthopaedic surgery holds promise for improving the delivery of stem cell therapy in cases of non-healing fractures. UC Davis surgeons plan to launch a "proof-of-concept" clinical trial to test the safety and efficacy of the device in the coming months.
Century-old drug reverses autism-like symptoms in fragile X mouse model Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) affect 1 to 2 percent of children in the United States. Hundreds of genetic and environmental factors have been shown to increase the risk of ASD. Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine previously reported that a drug used for almost a century to treat trypanosomiasis, or sleeping sickness, reversed environmental autism-like symptoms in mice.
	When used effectively, discharge summaries reduce hospital readmissions For heart failure patients making the transition from hospital to home, a discharge summary that gets to their primary doctors quickly and contains detailed and useful information can mean the difference between recovering quickly or returning to the hospital, according to two studies from Yale School of Medicine researchers.
	Bone stem cells shown to regenerate bones and cartilage in adult mice A stem cell capable of regenerating both bone and cartilage has been identified in bone marrow of mice. The discovery by researchers at Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) is reported today in the online issue of the journal Cell.
Lower mortality rates among Asian and Hispanic lupus patients A new study by researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts reveals that Asian and Hispanic patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have lower mortality rates compared to Black, White, or Native Americans with the disease. Findings published in Arthritis & Rheumatology, a journal of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), indicate that the risk for death among White patients is much lower than in Black and Native American SLE patients.
New hepatitis drugs raise political pressure in Spain The arrival in Europe of better but pricier hepatitis C drugs has raised pressure on Spanish leaders over health spending cuts which sufferers say deprive them of life-saving treatments.
Crohn's study seeks to find causes of incurable bowel condition British scientists are playing a key role in a global quest to find the causes of an incurable bowel condition.
	S. Korea orders lockdown to fight animal disease South Korea on Thursday announced a 36-hour lockdown over the weekend on poultry and livestock farms across the country to curb the spread of two highly contagious animal diseases—foot and mouth and bird flu.
	Patients across Europe to get improved access to pain medicines Governments in 12 European countries are to implement the recommendations of research into why more patients are not receiving essential painkillers.
	How comedy can be used for public health Those working in public health would be the first to concede that our discipline has a bit of an image problem. If we're not despairing over the societal burden of obesity (step away from those pies), we're busy contesting the validity of the "J-shaped" curve for alcohol – in which non-drinkers show a statistically higher risk of mortality than moderate drinkers – to justify that guilt-free glass of (preferably red) wine.
	Red Cross nurse dies of Ebola in Sierra Leone The international Red Cross says a local employee has died of Ebola in Sierra Leone, becoming the first Red Cross worker or volunteer to succumb to the disease there.
Discovery of new signaling intermediates provides clues to novel therapies in pancreatitis Signaling initiated by pancreatic digestive enzyme-producing (acinar) cells is essential to development of both pain and inflammation in pancreatitis, according to research published in the inaugural issue of Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the new basic science journal of the American Gastroenterological Association.
Research offers novel insight into Hirschsprung's disease Defects in the protein Sox10, a transcription factor that regulates gene expression, may play a role in the development of post-operative GI dysfunction in Hirschsprung's disease patients, according to new research published in Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the new basic science journal of the American Gastroenterological Association.
Good cosmetic results and safety with liposculpture of the hips, flanks and thighs Two decades of experience by senior plastic surgeons in different parts of the world show excellent cosmetic results and low complication rates with liposculpture of the hips, flanks, and thighs, reports a paper in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery—Global Open, the official open-access medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
Tool helps measure patients' readiness to make decisions about starting dialysis Patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) are often faced with difficult medical choices, such as whether to start dialysis or undergo kidney transplantation, and many patients may not feel ready to make treatment decisions for a variety of reasons. A new tool may help health professionals assess kidney disease patients' readiness to make important life-changing treatment decisions around their dialysis care. The tool is described in a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN).
Experts recommend weight loss drugs, surgery as supplement to lifestyle interventions The Endocrine Society today issued a Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) on strategies for prescribing drugs to manage obesity and promote weight loss.
UN Ebola czar says epidemic has 'passed the tipping point' The Ebola crisis has "passed the tipping point" and there is now a reasonable chance the deadly outbreak could end quickly, the UN special envoy said Thursday.

Biology news

	Roller coaster geese: Insights into high altitude bird flight physiology and biomechanics Roller Coaster migratory flights of geese give unique insights into bird physiology and biomechanics at high altitudes.
	For sea turtles, there's no place like magnetic home Adult sea turtles find their way back to the beaches where they hatched by seeking out unique magnetic signatures along the coast, according to new evidence from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
	Team isolates stem cell that gives rise to bones, cartilage in mice Researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine have discovered the stem cell in mice that gives rise to bone, cartilage and a key part of bone marrow called the stroma.
	Stress from the presence of strangers prevents empathy, in both mice and humans The ability to express empathy—the capacity to share and feel another's emotions—is limited by the stress of being around strangers, according to a new study published today in the journal Current Biology.
	Live imaging captures how blood stem cells take root in the body A see-through zebrafish and enhanced imaging provide the first direct glimpse of how blood stem cells take root in the body to generate blood. Reporting online in the journal Cell today, researchers in Boston Children's Hospital's Stem Cell Research Program describe a surprisingly dynamic system that offers several clues for improving bone marrow transplants in patients with cancer, severe immune deficiencies and blood disorders, and for helping those transplants "take."
	Study finds sea turtles may soon no longer need to bask on the beach (Phys.org)—A trio of researchers, two from the U.S. and one from Greece, has found evidence that suggests green turtles may soon stop basking on Pacific beaches. In their paper published in The Royal Society Biology Letters, Kyle Van Houtan, John Halley and Wendy Marks describe a six year study of the sea turtles they conducted and why they believe the turtles will soon stop venturing onto beaches.
	Research contradicts previous hypotheses about the evolution of orb weavers Armed with new DNA evidence, a George Washington University biologist has reopened the mysterious case of the origin of orb weaving spiders. His research could reverse decades of thought about the eight-legged artist's 230-million-year-old history.
	Using clay to fight fish disease A type of clay used in cosmetics, medicine, and papermaking may be just what aquaculture farmers need to fight columnaris—a costly and deadly bacterial disease that affects freshwater finfish worldwide.
	Emerald ash borer confirmed as threat to white fringetree The emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis), also known as EAB, is an invasive insect pest from Asia that has killed millions of trees in the United States and Canada and has caused billions of dollars of damage since it was discovered in 2002. Fortunately, its damage has been limited to ash trees—or so we thought.
	Bacteria coordinate activities with chemical 'language' Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich researchers have discovered a previously unknown chemical language used by many bacterial species to coordinate their activities, and show in a model organism that such intercellular communication is essential for pathogenicity.
	Toward mitochondrial plant cell factories In work published in Scientific Reports, a group of researchers led by Jo-Ann Chuah and Keiji Numata of the RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science have devised a new strategy for selectively delivering genes into the mitochondria of plant cells by using a simple combination of cell-penetrating and mitochondria-targeting peptides. This work, done in cooperation with Keio University and Utsunomiya University, lays the groundwork for the rational design of peptide-based gene carriers with the potential to create a new field of "mitochondria engineering," which could enable the creation of mitochondria-based plant cell factories for the creation of bio-polymers and bio-fuels.
	Undercover researchers expose new species of lizard for sale on Philippine black market Rafe Brown, curator-in-charge of the herpetology division at the University of Kansas' Biodiversity Institute, has devoted years to cataloging and conserving the biodiversity of the Philippines, a nation he views as an ecological treasure house.
Appeals court: Quarter horse group may reject clones The United States' pre-eminent quarter horse organization may refuse to register cloned animals, an appeals court ruled Wednesday in a case brought by two Texas ranchers.
Hidden ecosystems explored with the help of UK schools Schools across the UK can now collaborate with the Museum on cutting-edge genetic research into the diversity of microscopic species living on buildings.
	Swedish court gives green light to wolf hunters Swedish hunters were given the go-ahead Thursday to shoot 36 wolves this winter as animal activists suffer a setback on one of the country's most divisive environmental issues.

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