Science X Newsletter Wednesday, May 6

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for May 6, 2015:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Missing link in the evolution of complex cells discovered
- A hot start to the origin of life? Researchers map the first chemical bonds that eventually give rise to DNA
- Mobile phone video microscope automates detection of parasites in blood
- An alternative state of pluripotency: New stem cell may overcome hurdles for regenerative medicine
- Saturn Moon's Activity Could Be 'Curtain Eruptions'
- Educational app or digital candy? Helping parents choose quality apps for kids
- Carrot or stick? Punishments may guide behavior more effectively than rewards
- Global carbon dioxide levels reach new monthly record (Update)
- A better way to build DNA scaffolds
- Oculus virtual reality headsets set to ship in 2016
- Does mom's cellphone startle the fetus?
- Explosive volcanoes fueled by water, researchers find
- Ephemeral emails: Startup shows off self-destructing messages
- Can the brain map 'non-conventional' geometries (and abstract spaces)?
- US moves step closer to commercial drone use

Astronomy & Space news

	A hot start to the origin of life? Researchers map the first chemical bonds that eventually give rise to DNA DNA is synonymous with life, but where did it originate? One way to answer this question is to try to recreate the conditions that formed DNA's molecular precursors. These precursors are carbon ring structures with embedded nitrogen atoms, key components of nucleobases, which themselves are building blocks of the double helix.
	Saturn Moon's Activity Could Be 'Curtain Eruptions' New research using data from NASA's Cassini mission suggests most of the eruptions from Saturn's moon Enceladus might be diffuse curtains rather than discrete jets. Many features that appear to be individual jets of material erupting along the length of prominent fractures in the moon's south polar region might be phantoms created by an optical illusion, according to the new study.
	Space debris from satellite explosion increases collision risk for space craft Debris from the US Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) F13 satellite, which recently exploded in orbit, could pose a threat to other spacecraft and missions according to new research from the University of Southampton.
	Traffic around Mars gets busy NASA has beefed up a process of traffic monitoring, communication and maneuver planning to ensure that Mars orbiters do not approach each other too closely.
	SpaceX capsule soars with dummy in first test of crew escape (Update) SpaceX chalked up another big test flight Wednesday, firing a capsule into the air to try out its new, super-streamlined launch escape system for astronauts.
	Russia's space cargo ship to burn up in atmosphere Friday Russia said an unmanned supply ship set for the International Space Station will fall back to Earth Friday and burn up in the atmosphere, after the spacecraft suffered a communications failure.
	UAE to explore Mars' atmosphere with probe named 'Hope' (Update) The United Arab Emirates' planned 2020 mission to Mars will study the planet's atmosphere and be appropriately named "Hope," members of the project team revealed Wednesday.
	Most days in the life of an astronomer aren't spent at telescopes On a telescope at the summit of Mauna Kea in Hawaii, it's not easy to put in a full night of work. At 14,000 feet, you're operating at only 60% of the oxygen available at sea level, which makes concentrating difficult. Top that off with a shift that begins at 6:30 pm and ends at 6:30 am, and it becomes hard to imagine astronomers working like that year-round. Luckily, most of us don't have to.

Technology news

	First evolutionary history of 50 years of music charts using big data analysis of sounds Evolutionary biologists and computer scientists have come together study the evolution of pop music. Their analysis of 17,000 songs from the US Billboard Hot 100 charts, 1960 to 2010, is the most substantial scientific study of the history of popular music to date.
	Review: Small life enhancements come with Apple Watch Apple Watch isn't so much a lifestyle revolution as it is a collection of small enhancements that add up.
	Daimler's self-driving big rig makes big entrance in Nevada Its name is "Inspiration" and Daimler Trucks says it's the first ever self-driving semi-truck licensed to drive on public roads—in this case Nevada's highways—not only for testing, but business, too.
	Rombertik malware: evasive, layered, out to steal By now, you can at least compose some of the story line for a made-for-Hollywood script. Ten times over. Researchers at XYZ discover malware that steals login credentials and data. The malware du jour is given a menacing name; relevant spokespeople say they are working on a patch. Victims receive advice, such as Be Careful.
	PlayStation helps paint user's digital footprint Digital investigators are now able to extract information stored on a PlayStation 4 console thanks to a forensically sound method developed by local researchers.
	Oculus virtual reality headsets set to ship in 2016 Oculus, the virtual reality firm acquired by Facebook last year, said Wednesday it would begin shipping its Oculus Rift headset to consumers early next year after years of development.
	Nikola Labs phone case harvests back wasted energy If you click on the Nikola Labs site you will find an announcement that the group plans to go up on Kickstarter soon and they invite your email signup to learn more. Then at the bottom of the page is an icon-centric presentation of HOW IT WORKS, although "IT" has no noun. What we are shown is that a WiFi signal points to a RF harvesting antenna which points to DC power. The last sentences are, "Nikola Technology efficiently converts RF signals like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and LTE into DC power using its proprietary energy harvesting circuit. The result is usable energy that can provide power to mobile devices wirelessly."
	US moves step closer to commercial drone use Drones will take to the skies to inspect crops and infrastructure as US civil aviation authorities moved a step closer Wednesday to allowing their widespread commercial use.
	Ephemeral emails: Startup shows off self-destructing messages A startup company wants to make your emails vanish forever—but in a good way.
Silicon Valley, led by Apple, becomes Wall Street's backbone and ATM Led by the most successful company in the history of American commerce, Silicon Valley technology firms have become increasingly attuned to the demands of Wall Street, churning out profits at a record pace and sending a fire hose of cash back to investors.
Current tech boom is no dot-com bubble, experts say Silicon Valley's tech cup runneth over. Job growth is humming, coders are being lionized on HBO, Uber and its shared-economy cohorts are on fire, disrupted innovation is unfolding on every corner. And everyone from downtown San Jose to Oakland's Uptown to San Francisco's South of Market is partying like it's 1999.
	Internet company launched by Kim Dotcom fails to list in NZ Internet file-storage company Mega Ltd., launched in 2013 by indicted entrepreneur Kim Dotcom, failed Wednesday in a bid to list on New Zealand's stock market.
	Study: Top tech firms bypassing Asian workers for exec jobs Google, Yahoo and other major technology companies are far more inclined to hire Asians as computer programmers than to promote them to become managers or executives, according to a study released Wednesday.
	Smartphone video of boxing clash lands blow to copyright The boxing match billed as the fight of the century is over, but the battle over smartphone video streaming of the Las Vegas showdown is just beginning.
	US penalizes developer of virtual currency XRP San Francisco company Ripple Labs agreed to pay a $700,000 penalty for running a market for XRP, the world's second largest virtual currency after Bitcoin, outside US financial regulations.
	Emotion detection software used to design advertising The marketing industry has revolutionized the way people create publicity. Through the emotions, it defines which images, colors and objects best generate product identity and achieve great sales.
Singapore PM praised after sharing Sudoku-solver code Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has revealed his computer programming skills after sharing on Facebook a Sudoku puzzle-solver code he wrote.
	For most, N. Korean online shopping not just a click away Online shopping has arrived in North Korea, though it's as isolated from the rest of the world as the country itself, and the vast majority of North Koreans lack the technology to use it.
	Combatting counterfeiting using QR codes QR security codes, developed by the start-up ScanTrust, make it possible to authenticate and locate goods using a smartphone application. Housed in the Innovation Park at EPFL, the company has developed a new tool in the fight against counterfeiting that works by detecting a loss of quality when codes are copied. It is about to raise 1.2 million francs ($1.3 million).
	Bringing NASA satellite data down to Earth NASA didn't have Wicked Joe Coffee Roasting Company in mind as the agency launched hundreds of instruments into Earth orbit over the years. But thanks to a NASA website that tailors satellite-derived data for practical applications, Wicked Joe is reaping the benefits. And so are the operators of solar-power plants in India, architects designing buildings in Florida, farmers in Africa and everyone around the world who wants to see greenhouse-gas emissions reduced.
	Report highlights enormous potential of affordable solar energy Solar energy holds the best potential for meeting humanity's future long-term energy needs while cutting greenhouse gas emissions—but to realize this potential will require increased emphasis on developing lower-cost technologies and more effective deployment policy, says a comprehensive new study, titled "The Future of Solar Energy," released today by the MIT Energy Initiative (MITEI).
	iPhones gain in Europe, China; 'phablets' on the rise The latest iPhones have helped Apple gain smartphone market share in Europe and China, with a large number of customers switching from Android devices, a market tracker said Wednesday.
An airflow model to reduce time on the tarmac Plans for summer holidays are already taking shape. But before jetting off for some fun in the sun, many travellers will have to cope with long delays on the airport runway.
	The first self-driving vehicle you see may have 18 wheels (Update) Traveling about 55 miles per hour on a Nevada highway, the big rig's driver looked like The Thinker, with his elbow on the arm rest and his hand on his chin. No hands on the steering wheel, no feet on the pedals.
	IBM, Facebook team up on analytics, advertising IBM and Facebook announced Wednesday they would collaborate with marketers to develop better online advertising targeted to specific customers.
	UW mapping app turns art into a sharable walking route Creative athletes have been using geographic information systems to transform their running routes into kangaroos, robots and other works of art that they share online, and one romantic cyclist last year even spelled out "Will you marry me, Emily?" with his bike.
	AmbuLink strengthens connections between doctors, ambulance crews Rice University engineering students are helping a Houston hospital develop a more reliable way to keep in contact with inbound ambulance crews.
	Zynga's new game: cut costs, jobs Zynga said Wednesday it was cutting staff by 18 percent amid ongoing losses, as the social games pioneer seeks to reboot its strategy.
Tesla ramps up output in first quarter but losses rise Luxury electric car maker Tesla said Wednesday it was on track to deliver 55,000 cars this year even as its losses widened on revved up research spending.
	Second Uber office in China under investigation Chinese police have visited Uber offices in a second city in a widening investigation into the company's operations in China.
	EU moves to help tech companies compete with US giants (Update) The European Union has unveiled a long-term strategy to help its technology companies compete with U.S. giants like Google and Amazon by unifying the continent's digital sector and taking a hard line on abuses by dominant firms.
Sensor detects spoilage of food VTT has developed a sensor that detects ethanol in the headspace of a food package. Ethanol is formed as a result of food spoilage. The sensor signal is wirelessly readable, for instance, by a mobile phone. VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd is searching for a partner so as to commercialise the sensor.
Cablevision CEO wants New York cable deal The CEO of Cablevision said he wants deals with New York cable operators.

Medicine & Health news

	Mobile phone video microscope automates detection of parasites in blood A research team led by engineers at the University of California, Berkeley, has developed a new mobile phone microscope that uses video to automatically detect and quantify infection by parasitic worms in a drop of blood. This next generation of UC Berkeley's CellScope technology could help revive efforts to eradicate debilitating diseases in Africa by providing critical information for health providers in the field.
	Molecular homing beacon redirects human antibodies to fight pathogenic bacteria With the threat of multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens growing, new ideas to treat infections are sorely needed. Researchers at University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences report preliminary success testing an entirely novel approach—tagging bacteria with a molecular "homing beacon" that attracts pre-existing antibodies to attack the pathogens. The study is published by the Journal of Molecular Medicine.
	Does mom's cellphone startle the fetus? (HealthDay)—The sounds emitted by cellphones carried by pregnant women may rattle the sleep-and-wake cycles of their fetuses, new research suggests.
	Glass shape influences speed at which we drink alcohol The speed at which we drink alcohol could be influenced by the shape of the glass, and markings on the glass might help us drink more slowly, according to new research from the University of Bristol, presented today at the British Psychological Society Annual Conference in Liverpool.
	Brain chemical may offer new clues in treating chronic pain A chemical in the brain typically associated with cognition, movement and reward-motivation behavior—among others—may also play a role in promoting chronic pain, according to new research at The University of Texas at Dallas.
	Educational app or digital candy? Helping parents choose quality apps for kids There are now over 80,000 apps marketed as "educational" in the Apple app store, the majority of which are targeted towards children and even babies. Parents are led to believe that these apps provide real learning opportunities for their children, but scientific research suggests that many of the apps are nothing more than digital candy.
	Carrot or stick? Punishments may guide behavior more effectively than rewards When it comes to rewards and punishments, which is more effective—the carrot or the stick?
	In late post-surgical colon 'leaks,' finger points to microbes Post-surgical leaks that develop after a segment of the colon has been removed and stitched back together often are caused not by negligence or technical error but by bacteria in the bowel that elude antibiotics, according to new evidence about this devastating complication of gastrointestinal surgery.
	Plant toxin causes biliary atresia in animal model A study in this week's Science Translational Medicine is a classic example of how seemingly unlikely collaborators can come together to make surprising discoveries. An international team of gastroenterologists, pediatricians, natural products chemists, and veterinarians, working with zebrafish models and mouse cell cultures have discovered that a chemical found in Australian plants provides insights into the cause of a rare and debilitating disorder affecting newborns. This ailment, called biliary atresia (BA), is the most common indication for a liver transplant in children.
	Scientists reverse bacterial resistance to antibiotics The rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is a growing problem in the United States and the world. New findings by researchers in evolutionary biology and mathematics could help doctors better address the problem in a clinical setting.
	Hepatitis C common among HIV-positive patients in sub-Saharan Africa A new study has found high levels of infection with hepatitis C (HCV) across Africa, particularly in people infected with HIV.
	FDA aims to dispel 'myth of the medication-free pregnancy' When Laura Wylie became pregnant for the second time, she confronted a vexing dilemma: Stay on the antidepressants that could have adverse effects on her developing baby or risk descending into a deep, black hole that left her feeling numb.
	Europe's obesity crisis expands to 'enormous proportions' (Update) Europe faces an obesity crisis of "enormous proportions" as unhealthy diets and physical inactivity inflate waistlines and health costs, the World Health Organization claimed Wednesday.
More than 200,000 road deaths a year in China: WHO More than 200,000 people are killed on China's notoriously dangerous roads every year, the World Health Organisation said Wednesday—at least four times official government statistics.
	How do neural cells respond to ischemia? A group of researchers from the Lomonosov Moscow State University, in collaboration with their Irish colleagues from the University College Cork, has studied the early response of cells to ischemia, which is a restriction in blood supply to tissues, resulting in cell death. The article describing the results of their studies is published in Genome Biology.
Small molecule holds promise for detecting Alzheimer's disease at early stages Researchers from Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, have established that high levels of a small molecule called D-serine associate with cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Their discovery may represent a novel and effective biomarker for AD.
Frequent aspirin use reduces risk of cervical cancer by nearly half Long-term and frequent use of aspirin is associated with significantly decreased risk of cervical cancer, according to a study led by researchers at Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) and published in the Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease.
Research tracking the health impact of environmental exposures for thousands of babies Simon Fraser University health scientist Tim Takaro and researchers from AllerGen's Canadian Healthy Infant Longitudinal Development (CHILD) Study have extensively assessed indoor and outdoor environmental exposures for 3,217 Canadian babies. It is an unprecedented accomplishment for any birth cohort.
	Does publication bias make antidepressants seem more effective at treating anxiety than they really are? In scientific literature, studies with "good" results are more likely to be published than studies with results that are unclear or negative. A study with a new, exciting finding (a positive result) is likely to see the light of day, even if the finding is not in line with the authors hypothesis. But a study that doesn't have a new finding (a negative result), or has an unclear finding is far less likely to be published.
	Children's sleep and mental health are related Toddlers who take a long time to fall asleep or wake up many times during the night have put many a desperate mom and dad to the test. Tired parents are often told that night waking is part of toddlerhood, and that it will soon pass on its own, but this is not the case for everyone.
	Researcher develops bird flu vaccine using virus commonly found in dogs Researchers at the University of Georgia have used a virus commonly found in dogs as the foundation for a new vaccine against H7N9 influenza, more commonly known as bird flu.
	Epilepsy drug could help treat Alzheimer's disease University of British Columbia researchers say a new epilepsy drug holds promise as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease.
	'New clarity' against Alzheimer's The past year has been a hopeful one in the fight against Alzheimer's disease. New findings have brought clarity to understanding the disease's progress; new drugs to attack it are in trials.
	Dry mouth can reveal lingering health issues Deborah Berry had visited numerous health-care professionals, but no one was able to accurately diagnose and treat the many lumps and cuts on the inside of her mouth. Berry, who suffers from systemic lupus erythematosus, eventually just accepted it as a possible side-effect of her health condition.
	Social network experiments create a tipping point to improve public health Convincing a large group of people to change its behavior is no popularity contest, a new study shows.
	Why making codeine products prescription-only is a good idea Australia's drug regulator is looking into reclassifying about 150 codeine-based drugs as prescription-only. This means they will no longer be available for purchase over the pharmacy counter. The easy and widespread availability of these opioid medicines is causing a substantial level of harm.
	MicroRNA, the puppet master of the genome We all know how irritating it is to have an inbox flooded with junk mail. Fortunately email providers these days contain filters to keep the junk mail at bay. As a result the junk mail folder tends to pile up with never-to-be-read emails.
	Decorative images make life seem better A series of studies from Victoria University of Wellington have revealed that when people evaluate the quality of products, and their past behaviour, they tend to take a rosier view if they've been looking at decorative photographs.
	Pediatric infectious disease expert sheds light on vaccine myths According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, vaccines have saved more the 732,000 lives in the past two decades and studies have repeatedly shown that they are the best way to protect our communities from some of the deadliest illnesses. Still, there is a lot of confusing information about the safety and effectiveness of vaccines and it can be difficult to discern fact from fiction.
	Using tobacco's marketing techniques in public health messaging Carla Berg is trying to think like a tobacco executive. The associate professor in behavioral sciences and health education wants to borrow the sophisticated market segmentation techniques the tobacco industry has used so successfully for decades to lure smokers. Berg, however, plans to use them to identify young tobacco users and convince them to quit.
	Omega-3 may help depression caused by certain types of inflammation In a study published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry, researchers found that the omega-3 fatty acid EPA (eicosapentataenoic acid) appears to boost mood in a subgroup of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) who have high inflammation levels.
	Blood markers could help predict outcome of infant heart surgery New research suggests it may be possible to predict an infant's progress following surgery for congenital heart disease by analysing a number of important small molecules in the blood.
We all want high social status: study Not everyone may care about having an impressive job title or a big, fancy house but all human beings desire a high level of social status, according to a newly published study.
	Improving primary care by addressing trauma Recognizing that patients' experiences of childhood and adult trauma are common and have a direct impact on their health, UCSF clinical researchers and Positive Women's Network-USA have developed and are reporting a new primary care model.
'Leg Bank' hope for changing amputees' lives A 'leg bank' - providing life-changing prostheses to low-income people who have lost limbs - is being developed by a team including University of Strathclyde researchers.
	New method detects more breast cancer in screening Tomosynthesis detects 40% more breast cancers than traditional mammography does, according to a major screening study from Lund University, Sweden. This is the first large-scale study to compare the screening method with regular mammograms. The 3D X-ray technique is also more comfortable for women, as breast compression is halved.
Study discovers negative regulator of natural killer cell maturation A new study has identified a regulatory pathway in natural killer cells that inhibits their maturation and homing behavior. Natural killer cells are one of the body's first lines of defense against viruses and cancer. The findings could lead to new strategies for boosting natural-killer cell activity against cancer and viral infections. The study was led by researchers at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC - James). It showed that a protein called Foxo1 inhibits natural killer (NK) cell development and function.
	Show us your BabyFace: Researchers appeal for help from new parents A new app launched by The University of Nottingham is offering parents of newborn infants the chance to play a crucial role in research that could save the lives of premature babies in the developing world.
	Parents often misperceive their obese children as 'about the right weight' Although rates of childhood obesity have risen over the last several decades, a vast majority of parents perceive their kids as "about the right weight," according to new research led by NYU Langone Medical Center.
	Is diet or exercise the best way to reduce diabetes risk? In a paper recently published in Diabetes Care, Saint Louis University associate professor of nutrition and dietetics Edward Weiss, Ph.D, and colleagues found that, though people often think of the benefits from exercise, calorie restriction and weight loss as interchangeable, it appears that they may all offer distinct and cumulative benefits when it comes to managing Type 2 diabetes risk.
	Insight into the Ebola virus nucleocapsid assembly mechanism The Ebola virus (EBOV) causes lethal hemorrhagic fever in humans, with extremely high morbidity and mortality. It was first discovered in two simultaneous outbreaks near the Ebola River in sub-Saharan Africa in 1976. Sporadic outbreaks followed until 2014, when it re-emerged in Western Africa and caused a widespread epidemic. As of 24 April 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a total number of 26,101 suspected cases and 10,824 deaths. Despite the high death rate of the Ebola hemorrhagic disease, there are no FDA-approved treatments or vaccines available to date, nearly 40 years after the initial outbreak.
Survival rates in trauma patients after Massachusetts health insurance reform A study of survival rates in trauma patients following health insurance reform in Massachusetts found a passing increase in adjusted mortality rates, an unexpected finding suggesting that simply providing insurance incentives and subsidies may not improve survival for trauma patients, according to a report published online by JAMA Surgery.
Comprehensive stroke centers may improve bleeding stroke survival People with hemorrhagic strokes (brain bleeds) are more likely to survive if they are treated at a comprehensive stroke center, according to research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
	Statins don't reduce psoriasis risk (HealthDay)—Statin use does not lower the risk of psoriasis, according to a study published online April 20 in the British Journal of Dermatology.
	PCI beats medical tx in stable ischemic heart disease (HealthDay)—For patients with stable ischemic heart disease (SIHD) and objective evidence of ischemia, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is associated with lower mortality than medical therapy (MT), according to research published in the May 1 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
	Many foods marketed to children don't meet nutrition guidelines (HealthDay)—More than half of the food and beverage products marketed to children do not meet the federal Interagency Working Group's nutrition recommendations, according to a study published April 23 in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Preventing Chronic Disease.
	Proteinuria level predicts renal outcome in lupus nephritis (HealthDay)—Proteinuria levels at 12 months are the best predictor of long-term renal outcome in patients with lupus nephritis, according to a study published in the May issue of Arthritis & Rheumatology.
	Full Rx coverage ups outcomes for patients discharged after MI (HealthDay)—For patients discharged from hospital after myocardial infarction, full prescription coverage is associated with improved health outcomes and less resource use, according to research published online May 5 in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.
	Fat Ireland forecasts no surprise to obesity experts Ireland's growing weight problem is linked to a range of causes including generations of over-eating following historic poverty, experts said Thursday, after a study indicated it would become one of Europe's fattest nations.
	When mom gains too much weight during pregnancy, her child is more likely to be obese A new study conducted in collaboration between The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and Harokopio University has found that when an expecting mother gains more weight than recommended, does not exercise or smokes during pregnancy, the probability that her child will be overweight or obese at the age of eight sharply increases. These findings are currently available in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth.
How managers and colleagues can help staff who witness workplace aggression Just witnessing aggression or other bad behaviour at work can affect our well-being, but the right support from employers and colleagues can limit the consequences.
Psychologists aim to help Dr Google Psychologists are to improve online health information on lung cancer after research showed that family members are more likely to search online to encourage loved ones to seek help.
Fecal microbiota transplant cures C. diff, blocks multi-drug resistant pathogens A fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) not only cured a case of Clostridium difficile (C. diff) infection in a 66 year old man; it eliminated populations of multi-drug resistant organisms both in the patient's gastrointestinal tract, and several other body sites. This case report is published ahead of print April 15 in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology, a publication of the American Society for Microbiology.
	Child behavior is worse when dads feel unsupported Children are more likely to display troublesome behaviour in families in which the father feels unsupported by his partner.
	Why is Europe so fat? Questions and Answers World Health Organization research published Wednesday contends that Europe is getting fatter every year, and heading for an obesity crisis.
	Expanded hospice improves care but raises Medicare costs A large new study in the New England Journal of Medicine examines the impact of growth in Medicare's hospice benefit among nursing home residents between 2004 and 2009. The researchers documented improvement in indicators of care quality, such as less reliance on intensive care and feeding tubes, but also found increased costs to Medicare of $6,761 per patient on average.
	Study solves ovarian cell mystery, shedding new light on reproductive disorders Scientists at the National Institutes of Health have solved a long-standing mystery about the origin of one of the cell types that make up the ovary. The team also discovered how ovarian cells share information during development of an ovarian follicle, which holds the maturing egg. Researchers believe this new information on basic ovarian biology will help them better understand the cause of ovarian disorders, such as premature ovarian failure and polycystic ovarian syndrome, conditions that both result in hormone imbalances and infertility in women.
Underappreciated cause of bowel obstruction should be included in surgical assessments Each year, more than 10 million Americans seek medical attention, often in emergency situations, for symptoms of intestinal blockages. Researchers at the University California, San Diego School of Medicine have identified an abnormal form of small bowel twisting (or volvulus) that may cause these painful obstructions. In contrast to other causes of bowel obstruction that are treated with bowel rest, these require immediate surgical care.
Perception of US care for the dying worsens Surveys of loved ones who lost elderly relatives show that the perception of the quality of care for the dying in the United States has worsened over the last decade. For all the health care industry has done to try to make progress, huge gaps remain between how care is delivered and what patients and their loved ones want, reports a new study in the Journal of Palliative Medicine.
	Ulcer-causing bacteria induces stomach stem cell growth in mice, researchers find The ulcer-causing bacterium Helicobacter pylori can directly interact with stomach stem cells, causing the cells to divide more rapidly, according to a new study by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine.
Obese kids face stigma, flunk school: European research Obese children are far less likely to finish school than peers of normal weight, according to European research Thursday which also highlighted body image problems in kids as young as six.
	The use of canes and other mobility devices is on the rise among older adults About one-quarter of adults aged 65 years and older used mobility devices—such as canes, walkers, and wheelchairs—in 2011, and about a third of these reported using multiple devices. The use of such devices was not linked with an increased risk of falling, but people who used canes were more likely to report limiting their activities because they worried about falling.
Puerto Rico rejects smoking marijuana for medicinal purposes Puerto Rico's justice secretary says smoking marijuana for medicinal use will not be allowed in the U.S. territory, but cannabis derivatives could be consumed in other fashions.
High prevalence of undisclosed neuropathy in diabetic patients A survey of 25,000 Romanians with diabetes has revealed that diabetic neuropathy (DN), a complication of diabetes, is highly prevalent in these patients, even in the absence of a diagnostic, and has an important impact on patients' quality of life.
Reducing the number of people with mental illnesses in US jails The American Psychiatric Foundation today joins other leading organizations in supporting the Stepping Up Initiative, an unprecedented national collaboration designed to generate action in communities across the country for a common goal: to reduce the number of people with mental illnesses in U.S. jails.
Food science expert explains why listeria is showing up more often in food recalls Listeria, a foodborne pathogen, is the cause of 16 different recalls in just two months. A Kansas State University food safety specialist explains why it is appearing in products typically not associated with the bacteria.
How proteins evolved the capacity for movement within cells The process behind how the molecular components of living organisms start to move has been explained for the first time in new research published by Science and it is an intricate set of dance steps where the tempo is set by temperature.
	GlaxoSmithKline opts to hold on to HIV business British-based drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline opted Wednesday to keep its stake in its stand-alone HIV business as it set out its strategy following a big deal with Switzerland's Novartis.
	Alexion Pharma to pay $8.4 billion for Synageva BioPharma Alexion Pharmaceuticals will pay a huge premium to buy Synageva BioPharma in an $8.4-billion deal for a rare disease treatment maker that lost nearly $60 million in the first quarter and has no products on the market.
	High-value research of 2014 presented for gastroenterology (HealthDay)—Articles relating to esophageal diseases, pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease, and other topics are included in a special gastroenterology and hepatology update summary published online April 30 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Viewing violent news on social media can cause trauma Viewing violent news events via social media can cause people to experience symptoms similar to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Age matters in health messages Health interventions to increase exercise in older people could be more successful if they differentiated between people aged 65 to 79 years old and those over 80 years old.
16.9 million Americans gained health coverage under Affordable Care Act, study finds Insurance coverage has increased across all types of insurance since the major provisions of the federal Affordable Care Act took effect, with a total of 16.9 million people becoming newly enrolled through February 2015, according to a new RAND Corporation study.
Drug developer Adaptimmune skids after IPO raises $191M Shares of cancer drug developer Adaptimmune fell Wednesday after the British company's initial public offering raised $191.3 million.
Ivory Coast bans skin whitening creams Ivory Coast has banned skin whitening creams, which are widely used in west Africa, because of fears they cause lasting damage to health, the health ministry said Wednesday.
Analysis compares California exchange, commercial health insurance hospital networks The suspicion that the federal Affordable Care Act reduces options for patients to choose their health care providers proves to be true, according to a new study co-authored by David Weimer, a professor with the La Follette School of Public Affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. However, the quality of hospitals in insurance exchange networks was as good or better than those in commercial insurance networks.

Biology news

	An alternative state of pluripotency: New stem cell may overcome hurdles for regenerative medicine Scientists at the Salk Institute have discovered a novel type of pluripotent stem cell—cells capable of developing into any type of tissue—whose identity is tied to their location in a developing embryo. This contrasts with stem cells traditionally used in scientific study, which are characterized by their time-related stage of development.
	Missing link in the evolution of complex cells discovered In a new study, published in Nature this week, a research team led from Uppsala University in Sweden presents the discovery of a new microbe that represents a missing link in the evolution of complex life. The study provides a new understanding of how, billions of years ago, the complex cell types that comprise plants, fungi, but also animals and humans, evolved from simple microbes.
	Producing jet fuel compounds from fungus Washington State University researchers have found a way to make jet fuel from a common black fungus found in decaying leaves, soil and rotting fruit. The researchers hope the process leads to economically viable production of aviation biofuels in the next five years.
	Solomon Islands dolphins pay heavy price for teeth Residents of the tiny village of Fanalei in the Solomon Islands killed more than 1,600 dolphins in 2013 for their teeth, a local currency and popular adornment, researchers said Wednesday.
	New species of diving beetle found living in isolation in Africa A striking new species of beetle with no direct relatives has been identified by a scientist from Plymouth University living in wetlands on the outskirts of Cape Town.
	Lack of diversity in pygmy blue whales not due to man-made cause (Phys.org)—A team of researchers working in Australia has found via DNA analysis, that the lack of genetic diversity in pygmy blue whales is due to natural causes, not because of whaling. In their paper published in the journal Biology Letters, the researchers, affiliated with a variety of institutions in Australia, describe their study of the whales and why what they learned may help save them.
	New form of DNA modification may carry inheritable information Scientists at the University of Chicago, Harvard, and China have described the surprising discovery and function of a new DNA modification in insects, worms, and algae.
	From the depths of a microscopic world, spontaneous cooperation Maybe it's not such a dog-eat-dog world after all. A clever combination of two different types of computer simulations enabled a group of Illinois researchers to uncover an unexpectedly cooperative group dynamic: the spontaneous emergence of resource sharing among individuals in a community. Who were the members of this friendly, digitally represented collective? Escherichia coli, rod-shaped bacteria found in the digestive systems of humans and many other animals.
	Can the brain map 'non-conventional' geometries (and abstract spaces)? Grid cells, space-mapping neurons of the entorhinal cortex of rodents, could also work for hyperbolic surfaces. A SISSA study just published in Interface, the journal of the Royal Society, tests a model (a computer simulation) based on mathematical principles, that explains how maps emerge in the brain and shows how these maps adapt to the environment in which the individual develops.
	New clues into how stem cells get their identity Scientists at the University of Copenhagen have identified one mechanism that explains how some stem cells choose to become a given cell type: the cells combine specific sets of proteins at precise positions along the DNA. When these particular groups of proteins are combined, the gates are opened so that certain groups of genes can now be used, giving the cells a new identity.
Bacteria research opens way for new antibiotics University of Adelaide researchers have discovered a target for the development of completely new antibiotics against disease-causing bacteria.
	Scientists discover new species of glass frog in Costa Rica A Plymouth University lecturer is one of three scientists to have discovered a new glass frog in Costa Rica – the first in the country since 1973.
	Blueprints for the construction of nuclear pores deciphered In a recent study, a team of researchers led by Alwin Köhler at the Max F. Perutz Laboratories (MFPL) belonging to the University of Vienna and the Medical University of Vienna offer new insights into how nuclear pores are constructed in the nuclear envelope. Nuclear pores regulate the exchange of macromolecules between the interior of the nucleus, where genetic information is stored, and the cytoplasm, where these blueprints are used to produce many different cellular building blocks. More than a million macromolecules are transported through the 3,000 – 4,000 nuclear pores in a human nucleus every minute. This exchange is a vital function and transport errors are associated with cancer, ageing and autoimmune diseases. The results of this study have now appeared in the renowned technical journal Developmental Cell.
	Flower find provides real-time insight into evolution A Stirling scientist who discovered a new Scottish flower has made an unexpected second finding which provides unique insight into our understanding of evolution.
	Naked mole-rats' anti-cancer gene is unique among mammals Naked mole rats are unusual in many ways as a result of adaptations to living underground, with extreme longevity and a lack of the normal signs of ageing. Their resistance to cancer has been linked to the production of a substance called high molecular mass hyaluronan (HMM-HA), and mutations in the HAS2 gene that produces it.
	Researcher imagines a world without large, plant-eating animals Imagine the death of the world's last elephant.
	Conservationists 'on the fence' about barriers to protect wildlife in drylands To fence or not to fence? That is the question facing conservationists concerned with barriers that keep wildlife in and people out.
	Fishermen, communities need more than healthy fish stocks The Alaska salmon fishery is touted as one of the best in the world. When measured with an ecological yardstick, it is - fish stocks are healthy and the fishery is certified by the Marine Stewardship Council as consistently meeting rigorous biological standards. Fish are individually counted as they swim upstream to ensure there are enough to breed.
	Genetically isolated sloth bears rely on habitat corridors to connect populations Habitat connectivity and corridors may play an important role in maintaining gene flow between isolated sloth bear populations in central India, according to a study published May 6, 2015 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Trishna Dutta from Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and colleagues.
	Snakes' dining habits shaped by ancestry, relationships moreso than ecology Diets of snakes from a temperate region in South America may depend more on phylogeny (ancestry) than ecology, according to a study published May 6, 2015 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Gisela Bellini from Instituto Nacional de Limnología, Argentina and colleagues.
	Securing the supply of sea scallops for today and tomorrow Good management has brought the $559 million United States sea scallop fishery back from the brink of collapse over the past 20 years. However, its current fishery management plan does not account for longer-term environmental change like ocean warming and acidification that may affect the fishery in the future. A group of researchers from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service, and Ocean Conservancy hope to change that.
What drives the evolution of bird nest structures? How to protect your chicks from predators? Build a dome over them! There is tremendous diversity among the nests of birds, in nest location, structure, materials, and more, but we know very little about the forces that shaped the evolution of this incredible variety. In a new paper published this week in The Auk: Ornithological Advances, Zachary Hall, Sally Street, Sam Auty, and Susan Healy of the University of St. Andrews in Scotland test the hypothesis that domed-shaped nests arose as a result of some species transitioning to nesting on the ground, where the risk from predators is greater.
	Vulnerable grassland birds abandon mating sites near wind turbines Shifting to renewable energy sources has been widely touted as one of the best ways to fight climate change, but even renewable energy can have a downside, as in the case of wind turbines' effects on bird populations. In a new paper in The Condor: Ornithological Applications, a group of researchers demonstrate the impact that one wind energy development in Kansas has had on Greater Prairie-Chickens (Tympanuchus cupido) breeding in the area. Virginia Winder of Benedictine College, Andrew Gregory of Bowling Green State University, Lance McNew of Montana State University, and Brett Sandercock of Kansas State University monitored prairie-chicken leks, or mating sites, before and after turbine construction and found that leks within eight kilometers of turbines were more likely to be abandoned.
Extreme excavation: Fire ant style Fans of The Lord of the Rings may disagree, but when it comes to exquisite excavation, the dwarves of Moria have nothing on the mighty fire ants of Georgia Tech. But Dan Goldman and Michael Goodisman aren't fascinated by the aesthetics of fire ant architecture alone. "I have an interest in animals interacting with complex materials", explains Goldman, who has studied creatures such as sidewinder snakes and sandfish lizards moving through and across sand. With the ants on their doorstep, Goldman and Goodisman were intrigued to learn more about how the insects work together and the mechanical factors that affect ant nest construction in soils ranging from wet clay to coarse sand.
	Rare birds jammed inside water bottles in Indonesia Indonesian police have arrested a suspected wildlife smuggler after discovering nearly two dozen rare birds, mostly yellow-crested cockatoos, jammed inside plastic water bottles in his luggage.
Charismatic endangered species 'can help save other wildlife' Charismatic or 'celebrity' endangered wildlife can help save less well-known or 'forgotten' animals – if the conservation funds are used wisely, environmental scientists say.
	Genetics for producing thousands of queen bees Mexico has launched its first Center for Queen Bee Breeding in the center-north state of Aguascalientes, which aims to support productivity for 45 thousand Mexican producers of honey, which last year generated revenues of $147 million for the country via exports.
	Zimbabwe vows to export elephants despite criticism Zimbabwe vowed on Wednesday to shrug off international pressure and forge ahead with the export of live elephants to raise funds for conservation and curb the animals' population.
Springing into action: The Wyss Institute introduces its new biosafety process Increasingly, scientists across the world and in the Unites States are reporting new and groundbreaking innovations in biotechnology with transformative implications in human health and environmental sustainability. Examples range from synthetically created, metabolically-engineered bacteria for the sustainable production of fuel to gene editing therapies that could one day help in the prevention and treatment of a large number of human diseases.
	Building scaffolds in the cell's power stations A group of scientists led by Assistant Professor Dr. Martin van der Laan has decoded the molecular basis for the characteristic structures inside of mitochondria. Mitochondria are the powerhouses of cells and contain microscopic, strongly infolded membrane structures. These structures allow mitochondria to use the energy gained from food effectively. A defect in the architecture of mitochondrial membrane folds can lead to serious disorders in the nervous and muscular system. The team of researchers from the University of Freiburg has now published a study in the international professional journal Cell Metabolism in which it describes a sophisticated molecular structure made of membrane proteins. This structure allows mitochondria to develop their typical architecture while keeping the elaborate network of membrane folds stable.
	Study aims to uncover why cancer plagues golden retrievers If a golden retriever gives birth, gets stung by a bee or sprayed by a skunk, veterinarians want to know.
	Sea lion strandings: The view from the rookery For a few months now, sea lion pups have been stranding on the coast of Southern California. So many have washed up, emaciated and exhausted, that marine mammal care centers can scarcely hold them all. But while most people first notice the pups on the beach, their desperate plight began on the Channel Islands, which are about 25 miles offshore of Santa Barbara. Those islands are home to the sea lion rookeries where the pups are born and where they spend the first year of life.
	Ship may have hit whale found washed up near San Francisco Scientists say a ship may have hit and killed a female humpback whale that washed up at a beach in the San Francisco Bay Area earlier this week.
	Winter proves tough on deer, states weigh hunting limits Wildlife regulators in states where deer hunting is a way of life and an important tourism draw are implementing or considering deep cuts to hunting permits after a tough winter killed off many of the animals.

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