Science X Newsletter Friday, Jun 12

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for June 12, 2015:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Blind quantum computing method surpasses efficiency 'limit'
- A bright light for ultrafast snapshots of materials
- Jaguar Land Rover explores placing drivers on pothole alert
- Researchers narrow birth estimate for the Takliman Desert
- Japan announces plans to send probe to Martian moon
- Scientists announce first room-temperature magnetic skyrmion bubbles
- Scientists observe altruism and selfishness in brain activity
- A computer algorithm to quantify creativity in art networks
- AI 'cheating' scandal makes machine learning sound like a sport – it isn't
- A practical guide to countering science denial
- Machines learn to understand how we speak
- Team creates click-and-drag interface enabling rapid video object segmentation
- We are entering a 'golden age' of animal tracking
- Stone tools from Jordan point to dawn of division of labor
- Setting the circadian clock

Astronomy & Space news

	Japan announces plans to send probe to Martian moon Japan's space agency JAXA has announced its intention to send a spacecraft to one of Mar's moons, collect a sample from its surface and then return to Earth to allow for analyzing the sample. If successful, it would be the first human-made craft to land on one of Mar's moons.
	How low can you orbit? (w/ Video) The Earth's atmosphere is a total drag, especially if you're trying to orbit our planet. It's a drag. Get it? Atmospheric drag. Drag. Drag.
	NASA prepares for first interplanetary CubeSats on agency's next mission to Mars When NASA launches its next mission on the journey to Mars – a stationary lander in 2016 – the flight will include two CubeSats. This will be the first time CubeSats have flown in deep space. If this flyby demonstration is successful, the technology will provide NASA the ability to quickly transmit status information about the main spacecraft after it lands on Mars.
Video: Soyuz TMA-15M landing ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti, NASA astronaut Terry Virts and Russian commander Anton Shkaplerov landed in the Kazakh steppe after a three-hour ride in their Soyuz spacecraft 11 June 2015. They left the International Space Station at 10:20 GMT at the end of their six-month stay on the research complex.
	How to sail through space on sunbeams – solar satellite leads the way A new kind of spacecraft that sails on sunlight has just been successfully deployed above Earth. The LightSail satellite yesterday overcame a series of glitches to unfurl its solar sails, a propulsion system that's entirely different to traditional rockets, thrusters or even solar panels.
	ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti back on Earth ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti, NASA astronaut Terry Virts and Russian commander Anton Shkaplerov landed safely today in the Kazakh steppe after a three-hour ride in their Soyuz spacecraft. They left the International Space Station at 10:20 GMT at the end of their six-month stay on the research complex.

Technology news

	Jaguar Land Rover explores placing drivers on pothole alert Jaguar Land Rover is doing its connected-car technology homework. (The company actually has someone with the job title of Global Connected Car Director.) They believe they are on to something important: a new system to detect, predict and share data about potholes. Its Pothole Alert research aims to be counted as a way that will help save motorists money that would otherwise be spent on punctures, vehicle damage and road accidents.
	A computer algorithm to quantify creativity in art networks A team of researchers at Rutgers University has taken on the novel task of getting a computer to rate paintings made by the masters, based on their creativity. They have written a paper describing their approach and the results they have obtained in running their algorithm and have posted it on the preprint server arXiv.
	Centimeter-long origami robot climbs inclines, swims, and carries loads At the recent International Conference on Robotics and Automation, MIT researchers presented a printable origami robot that folds itself up from a flat sheet of plastic when heated and measures about a centimeter from front to back.
	NASA leads development of a new system to manage low-altitude drones "The sky could become increasingly crowded as personal and commercial uses of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), commonly called drones, become more popular." That's the assessment of Parimal Kopardekar, manager of NASA's Safe Autonomous Systems Operations project, as innovators constantly conceive new beneficial civilian applications for these aircraft, including goods delivery, infrastructure inspection, search and rescue, and agricultural monitoring.
	Machines learn to understand how we speak At Apple's recent World Wide Developer Conference, one of the tent-pole items was the inclusion of additional features for intelligent voice recognition by its personal assistant app Siri in its most recent update to its mobile operating system iOS 9.
	AI 'cheating' scandal makes machine learning sound like a sport – it isn't News that Baidu, the Google of China, cheated to take the lead in an international competition for artificial intelligence technology has caused a storm among computer science researchers. It has been called machine learning's "first cheating scandal" by MIT Technology Review and Baidu is now barred from the competition.
	Will your self-driving car be programmed to kill you? Imagine you are in charge of the switch on a trolley track.
	Team creates click-and-drag interface enabling rapid video object segmentation Investigators at Disney Research Zurich have developed a method for achieving very accurate object segmentation of video by enabling human editors to work efficiently with state-of-the-art algorithms using a click-and-drag interface.
	Officials: Second hack exposed military and intel data Hackers linked to China appear to have gained access to the sensitive background information submitted by intelligence and military personnel for security clearances, several U.S. officials said Friday, describing a second cyberbreach of federal records that could dramatically compound the potential damage.
	In time for summer: 'connected' bikini tells you how to tan The Internet of Things—connecting everyday items with sensors—is hitting the beach in time for the northern hemisphere's summer with a bikini that says when it's time to apply more sun screen.
	YouTube to launch app, site dedicated to gaming YouTube is seeking to win over gamers.
	Robot wind-around tentacle can grab, hold ant and egg No harm done: a soft robot tentacle can lasso an ant with no killer motives. The tentacle can handle tiny, fragile objects, the result of a soft robot that curls itself into a circle with a radius of just 200 micrometers, said New Scientist.
Pinterest ramps up efforts to attract more men Artist Tim Odell uses Pinterest to gather images of classic Pontiac cars, U.S. Navy battleships and medieval armor, which he recreates as a hobby.
Japan OKs long-term Fukushima cleanup plan despite unknowns Japan's government approved Friday a revised 30- to 40-year roadmap to clean up the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant, but many questions remain.
	Uber game puts iPhone users behind the wheel Uber has released a free game that lets iPhone and iPad users test their skills as drivers for the controversial on-demand car ride service.
	Russia's new Armata tank: step toward fully robotic vehicles Russia's new tank, the Armata, is expected to form the backbone of the nation's armed forces for years to come. Its designers say the new machine may evolve into a fully robotic vehicle that could operate autonomously on the battlefield. Here is a look at some of the key features of the new tank:
Head of Japan stock exchanges 'ashamed ' over Toshiba woes The longtime head of Japan's stock exchange says he is "ashamed" over a recent accounting scandal at electronics and industrial conglomerate Toshiba Corp.
	Professor and students use oculus rift to improve online learning Penn State engineering students have been working to develop an immersive virtual reality (IVR) system called Oculus Rift and test how this system and others may enhance student learning both on campus and online. The group hopes IVR technology can eventually give students taking online courses a way to become more engaged in their coursework.
	What's ahead for Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant Four years after an earthquake and tsunami destroyed Japan's Fukushima nuclear power plant, the road ahead remains riddled with unknowns.
Uber plans $1 billion China investment: report Taxi hailing app Uber plans to invest seven billion yuan ($1.1 billion) in China, the Financial Times reported on its website, citing a company email.
	What are the different types of renewable energy? Renewable energy is becoming an increasingly important issue in today's world. In addition to the rising cost of fossil fuels and the threat of Climate Change, there has also been positive developments in this field which include improvements in efficiency as well as diminishing prices.
In time for summer: a 'connected' bikini that tells you how to tan The Internet of Things—connecting everyday items with sensors—is hitting the beach in time for the northern hemisphere's summer with a bikini that says when it's time to apply more sun screen.
	Keeping energy clean and the countryside quiet Thanks to expertise garnered building space telescopes powerful enough to see exoplanets, large wind turbines are now generating clean power without making a racket.
	Why Japan can't (or won't) stop using fossil fuels any time soon The G7 leaders' pledge to eliminate the use of fossil fuels as an energy source by century's end could be the most significant outcome of the most recent meeting. It also reinforces German host Angela Merkel's claim to be the "climate chancellor".
	From 'Star Wars' to 'Star Fox,' 5 expectations for E3 At this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo, video games alone won't soak up all the attention.
	5 things to watch at next week's Paris Air Show Just eight miles from the center of Paris, the normally sleepy aerodrome in Le Bourget will undergo its biennial transformation into the center of the world's $700 billion aerospace and defense industry when it hosts the 51st International Paris Air Show next week.
Safety regulators link Takata air bags to another death U.S. regulators have confirmed that an air bag made by Takata Corp. was involved in the April death of a woman in Louisiana , connecting the defective air bags to a seventh fatality.
Q&A: Net neutrality rules go into effect New rules that treat the Internet like a public utility and prevent companies from blocking or slowing down some online traffic took effect Friday.
Chinese hackers got sensitive military files: report A data breach of US government workers allowed hackers to access sensitive information including security clearances of the workers and contractors, the Washington Post reported Friday.
	Hackathons take on Islamic State in cyberspace battle In a small room close by the Sydney Opera House, 60 people representing a vast range of communities and industries are working feverishly to come up with ways to combat the Islamic State group's online propaganda machine.
Massive data management for the Digital Single Market If the Digital Single Market launched by the European Commission in May this year is to become a reality, the fragmented field of data management needs to be addressed quickly. Current cloud computing practices often sacrifice data consistency for size, in order to cope with the huge volumes of Big Data being handled. It makes the building of apps – where strong safeguards are necessary – a very difficult and time-consuming task.
Taiwan's Foxconn eyes possible iPhone plant in India Apple iPhone manufacturer Foxconn is in talks with the Indian government to build a plant there, an official said Friday, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeks to boost foreign investment.

Medicine & Health news

	Scientists observe altruism and selfishness in brain activity Prosocial behavior is fundamental to the sustainability of society, enabling people to work in groups, to create larger and more successful social structures, and to contribute to the common welfare. However, despite the importance of altruism, science has only a limited understanding of how prosocial behaviors and selfish behaviors are represented in the brain. Additionally, individual transition between self-benefiting behavior and altruistic behavior is not well understood.
	Scientists identify a potential new treatment for osteoporosis Scientists from the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have identified a new therapeutic approach that, while still preliminary, could promote the development of new bone-forming cells in patients suffering from bone loss.
	Study links gene to aggressive form of brain cancer Scientists have identified a gene mutation linked to the development of an aggressive form of brain cancer.
Setting the circadian clock Often referred to as the "body clock", circadian rhythm controls what time of day people are most alert, hungry, tired or physically primed due to a complex biological process that is not unique to humans. Circadian rhythms, which oscillate over a roughly 24-hour cycle in adaptation to the Earth's rotation, have been observed in most of the planet's plants, animals, fungi and cyanobacteria, and are responsible for regulating many aspects of organisms' physiological, behavioral and metabolic functions.
New research could lead to pharmacological treatments for chronic pancreatitis The pancreas is a tricky organ for researchers and surgeons alike because of its sensitivity. Tucked away in a hard-to-reach spot behind the stomach, it's in charge of secreting enzymes to help digest everything you eat. Even slightly puncturing the pancreas during surgery can cause it to begin digesting itself.
	State of moderate arousal leads to optimum performance If you want to know who is ready to perform at the highest level, look them in the eyes—or more specifically, look at the diameter of their pupils, Yale School of Medicine researchers report.
	New immunoregulation and biomarker Clinicians at LMU have elucidated a mechanism involved in determining the lifespan of antibody-producing cells, and identified a promising new biomarker for monitoring autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis and lupus erythematosus.
	Cell density remains constant as brain shrinks with age New, ultra-high-field magnetic resonance images (MRI) of the brain by researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago provide the most detailed images to date to show that while the brain shrinks with age, brain cell density remains constant.
Older asthma patients at increased risk for treatment failure Older patients with asthma are at increased risk for treatment failure, particularly those patients being treated with inhaled corticosteroids, according to a new study.
	Breakthrough against hospital superbug Researchers at Queen's University Belfast have developed a cutting-edge new medical therapy that could protect UK hospital patients against a lethal superbug.
	Mini-breast grown in Petri dishes—a new tool for cancer research The research group, led by Dr. Christina Scheel, developed an assay whereby cultured human breast epithelial cells rebuild the three-dimensional tissue architecture of the mammary gland. For this purpose, a transparent gel is used in which cells divide and spread, similar to the developing mammary gland during puberty. Specifically, cells divide and generate hollow ducts that form a network of branches and terminate in grape-like structures. Throughout the reproductive lifespan of a woman, the mammary gland is constantly remodeled and renewed in order to guarantee milk production even after multiple pregnancies. Although their exact identity remains elusive, this high cellular turnover requires the presence of cells with regenerative capacity, i.e. stem cells. Breast cancer cells can adopt properties of stem cells to acquire aggressive traits. To determine how aggressive traits arise in breast cancer cells, it is therefore crucial! to first elucidate the functioning of normal breast stem cells. For this purpose, the Scheel group provides a new powerful experimental tool.
Why obesity predisposes to severe respiratory failure The lungs of seven percent of all intensive care unit patients will fill up with fluid causing a 30 to 50 percent chance of death from a condition called acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This syndrome has few options for treatment, progresses quickly and is still poorly understood biologically, and being obese is an important risk factor. Using animal models of ARDS, researchers at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia have uncovered a mechanism that appears to explain why obesity predisposes to developing ARDS, and in the process, might have discovered a novel strategy for preventing ARDS in obese individuals.
	Car crash risk doubles for new users of sleeping pills, study finds (HealthDay)—Sedative sleeping pills such as Ambien can nearly double the risk for car accidents among new users compared with nonusers, new research suggests.
	As mosquito-borne illnesses threaten U.S., less money spent fighting them (HealthDay)—Diseases spread by mosquitos pose a growing threat to the health of Americans, with the risk at its greatest during these hot summer months.
Mechanism regulating gene expression linked to bone and joint damage in AS The results of a study presented today at the European League Against Rheumatism Annual Congress (EULAR 2015) Press Conference revealed that DNA methylation - a mechanism that regulates gene expression - could influence the progression of structural damage to the joints and spine in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Study findings showed significant associations between a low methylation score and more radiographic progression (X-ray) of the disease, and implicated smoking in worsening of disease outcome.
Early RA patients have impaired myocardial & vascular function at early stage of disease The results of a study presented today at the European League Against Rheumatism Annual Congress (EULAR 2015) demonstrated for the first time that treatment-naive patients with early Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) have myocardial and vascular abnormalities, even at the earliest stage of their disease. These findings suggest that patients may develop early cardiomyopathy (disease of the heart muscle), increasing their risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality from the time of their diagnosis. Cardiomyopathy is a serious condition and a leading cause of hospitalisation worldwide.
Inspiratory muscle training improves lung function in ankylosing spondylitis The results of a study presented today at the European League Against Rheumatism Annual Congress (EULAR 2015) showed that inspiratory muscle training (IMT) significantly improves lung strength and efficiency in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), a condition often associated with breathing difficulties. These findings demonstrate that just eight weeks of IMT provide greater improvements in lung function than conventional treatment options.
Hepatitis B vaccine less effective in rheumatoid arthritis patients The results of a study presented today at the European League Against Rheumatism Annual Congress (EULAR 2015) Press Conference showed that people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are less likely to be protected by hepatitis B vaccination than the general population. Within the trial only 11% of those with the condition responded to the vaccine, compared with 83% of those without RA, suggesting that people with RA may still be at risk of infection in spite of vaccination.
Validated measurements of fatigue should be used to optimize its treatment in RA Three new studies presented at the European League Against Rheumatism Annual Congress (EULAR 2015) have provided valuable guidance on measuring fatigue and optimising its treatment in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) patients, and in patients with other rheumatic diseases. Fatigue remains a frequent and debilitating problem for patients with RA that needs to be addressed.
Novel method identifies children with rheumatic disease eligible for life-saving vaccine The results of a study presented today at the European League Against Rheumatism Annual Congress (EULAR 2015) Press Conference showed that the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine can be effective and safe even in children with paediatric rheumatic disease receiving immunosuppression treatment. By using a checklist to pre-screen children, the investigators were able to identify diverse patient groups suitable for vaccination, protecting them from a potentially life-threatening infection.
New treatment approach to limit damage after joint bleed The results of a study presented today at the European League Against Rheumatism Annual Congress (EULAR 2015) identified that the cytokine (cell signalling protein) Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) is a crucial factor in the development of blood-induced cartilage damage. This finding opens up the possibility that a treatment targeting IL-1β could provide a new way to protect cartilage after a joint bleed, which in turn should significantly reduce subsequent disability.1
	Obesity rising for many children Obesity continues to increase among children, despite previous national reports that the rate flattened, according to recent analysis.
Gene discoveries may lead to regeneration of cells needed for hearing School of Medicine scientists have discovered biological mechanisms that appear to play a role in the regeneration of cells in the inner ear.
	Helicobacter pylori causes gene activity in the gastric cells resembling the activity of cancer cells Around half of the global population is chronically infected with the stomach bacterium Helicobacter pylori, almost 1% of whom go on to develop gastric adenocarcinoma, one of the deadliest forms of cancer. Usually it takes many decades for the cancer to develop, making it difficult to pinpoint exactly how it is linked to an infection. A team at the Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology in Berlin, Germany, has now analyzed the pattern of damage that occurs in the genome of gastric cells early after infection and found that not only does this pattern differ from those induced by other genotoxic agents, but that it resembles the characteristic changes later seen in gastric cancer. While it has been widely accepted that this pathogen plays a role in the development of gastric cancer, these results represent an approach that can reveal a causality between a particular bacterial infection and the development of cancer in humans.
	Outsmarting advanced prostate cancer International research involving the University of Adelaide has helped explain how tumour cells become resistant to common therapies used in the treatment of prostate cancer.
'Learned' people easily may claim facts impossible to know People who believe they know a little something about a topic – confident though they may be – commonly and easily claim knowledge that is impossible for them to have, say Cornell University researchers in a newly published study in Psychological Science.
Study concludes parents mixing languages has no impact on children's language development Many adults speak more than one language, and often "mix" those languages when speaking to their children, a practice called "code-switching." An eye-opening study by researchers in the Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences at the University of Maryland has found that this "code-switching" has no impact on children's language development in their home. The study, "Look at the gato! Code-switching in speech to toddlers" appears in the Journal of Child Language.
Study may help Department of Veteran's Affairs find patients with high risk of suicide Clinicians are challenged every day to make difficult decisions regarding patients' suicide risk. Using Veterans Health Administration (VHA) health system electronic medical record data, Veterans Affairs (VA) and National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) scientists were able to identify very small groups of individuals within the VHA's patient population with very high, predicted suicide risk—most of whom had not been identified for suicide risk by clinicians. Such methods can help the VHA to target suicide prevention efforts for patients at high risk, and may have more wide-ranging benefits.
Semi-starvation diets offer new hope for obesity with binge eating Severe diets don't necessarily lead to binge eating and could be used to treat obesity without risking the disorder, according to new research from the University of Sydney's Charles Perkins Centre and the University of Western Sydney.
	Cancer patients offered access to their treatment records by a new online information portal Cancer Research UK, the National Cancer Registration Service (NCRS) and brain tumour support charity, brainstrust, have teamed up to offer cancer patients easy access to their treatment records after early research reveals how patients respond to having their details available online.
	Study sheds light on atrial fibrillation symptoms, quality of life Most patients with atrial fibrillation—the most common type of abnormal heart rhythm—experience multiple symptoms and decreased quality of life, according to a large, nationally representative study. The findings may lead to more targeted interventions in these patients, says a Yale researcher.
S.African man with penis transplant to become father A South African man who received the world's first successful penis transplant is to become a father just months after undergoing surgery, his doctor said Friday.
Scientists map surface of immune cells The immune system must constantly adapt to its environment in order to protect a body effectively. The so-called T cells are an important example in this regard. One of their functions is to form the immune system's "memory". Researchers at the Helmholtz Zentrum München and the Technische Universität München recently examined the surface of precursors of these T cells and identified previously unknown proteins there. According to the scientists, the results, which were published in the journal Molecular & Cellular Proteomics, could supply approaches to new therapies in the area of asthma and allergies.
Recurrent major depressive disorder and use of antidepressants associated with lower bone density A recent study from the University of Eastern Finland in collaboration with Deakin University, Australia, shows that recurrent major depressive disorder (MDD) in men is associated with lower bone density. The use of antidepressants was also associated with lower bone mineral density (BMD), but this association was dependent on the person's weight and site of bone measurement.
	Asthma drug against dengue to be tested in clinical trial A drug that has been used for over 30 years as an asthma and allergy medicine is now being tested to treat symptoms of dengue fever. The National University of Singapore (NUS) and Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Singapore (Duke-NUS) are running a clinical trial, in collaboration with National University Hospital (NUH) and Singapore General Hospital (SGH), called KETODEN, to test the drug Ketotifen on patients who are infected with dengue.
Family medicine doctor talks about importance of support for breastfeeding moms Most women understand the benefits of breastfeeding their infants, but there are physical and emotional roadblocks that can make it a challenge for moms. During the first weeks of a baby's life it is vital for mom to be able to focus on caring for herself and nursing her infant.
	New test aids personalized cancer care In a highly successful, first-of-its-kind endeavor, a multidisciplinary team of University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers have created a "tumor in a dish:" an ex vivo microenvironment that can accurately anticipate a multiple myeloma patient's response to a drug.
Interventions among healthy people save the most lives Mortality from coronary heart disease declined in Sweden from 1986 to 2002. The improvement was due mainly to a reduction in risk factors among the healthy population (primary prevention) and, to a lesser extent, treatment of people who already had developed heart disease (secondary prevention). A study conducted at Sahlgrenska Academy explored the reasons for the trend.
Exercise with a physiotherapist helps people with depression Exercise has a positive effect on depression – so reveals a dissertation written at the Sahlgrenska Academy.
Major health consequences for individuals with severe dental anxiety Adults who suffer from severe dental anxiety (DA) are often dissatisfied with their appearance. The dissatisfaction may be associated with poorer oral health, depression and anxiety. A doctoral thesis at Sahlgrenska Academy found that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) help patients with severe DA.
	Smoking while pregnant affects the livers of boys and girls differently Women smoking while pregnant could impact male babies differently to female babies because of the way it affects the liver, according to new research.
Half of veterans who died from opioid overdoses also received benzos In a recent study, nearly half of all veterans who died from drug overdoses while prescribed opioids for pain were also receiving benzodiazepines, or benzos, which are common medications for the treatment of anxiety, insomnia and alcohol withdrawal. Veterans prescribed higher doses of benzodiazepines while concurrently receiving opioids were at greater risk of overdose death than those on lower doses of benzodiazepines. The results of the study by researchers from Rhode Island Hospital, Boston Medical Center, and the Veteran Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System were published online in the BMJ today.
Physical activity decreases over time at all levels of COPD severity, leading to further decline Physical activity decreases substantially over time in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at all levels of severity, according to a new study from researchers in Germany. This decline in physical activity is accompanied by a worsening of lung function and health status, and sustained physical inactivity is associated with progression of both exercise intolerance and muscle depletion.
	How to manage pain in the ER: Ask the patient Simply asking the question, "Do you want more pain medication?" resulted in satisfactory pain control in 99 percent of emergency department patients participating in a study. The study of a new evidence-based protocol to treat acute, severe pain in emergency department patients was published online yesterday in Annals of Emergency Medicine.
ED worsened, testosterone levels decreased by some treatments of prostate enlargement Men with benign prostate enlargement who used finasteride (also known as proscar and propecia) to treat their condition, experienced worsening erectile dysfunction (ED) that did not resolve with continued treatment. In addition, they experienced a reduction in their testosterone levels leading to hypogonadism (little to no production of sex hormones). However, men who used tamsulosin (flomax) experienced none of these adverse side effects.
	Vitamin D shows promise for treating Crohn's disease in pilot study New research published in this month's edition of United European Gastroenterology journal suggests that supplementation with vitamin D may impact on the intestinal barrier dysfunction associated with Crohn's disease, and could have a role in the treatment of the condition. The study is by Professor Maria O'Sullivan and Tara Raftery. Department of Clinical Medicine, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St. James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
	Researchers find potential treatment for fatal lung diseases Researchers at the University of Georgia have discovered that the drug triciribine may reverse or halt the progression of pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension, two respiratory diseases that are almost invariably fatal. They published their findings recently in the British Journal of Pharmacology.
	S. Korea reports 13th MERS death South Korea on Friday reported three more deaths from Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), but health officials urged people to go about their normal daily activities, saying the rate of new cases was slowing.
	Doctors worry about return of vaccine-preventable ills in kids (HealthDay)—Although most U.S. children are getting their routine vaccinations, recent trends have experts concerned that Americans will lose some of the "herd immunity" that has long protected many from serious infections.
	Psychosis rarely linked to violent crime, study says (HealthDay)—It's rare that people with mental illness have hallucinations and delusions before they commit violent crimes, researchers say.
	Bragging can backfire, study shows (HealthDay)—Self-promotion often backfires, a new study suggests.
	Summer spurs calls to poison centers (HealthDay)—The wet spring in many parts of the United States has led to mold and mildew in some homes, leading people to get out the bleach.
	Most physical activity helps you sleep better (HealthDay)—Certain types of physical activity help you sleep better, while others might leave you tossing and turning, a new study finds.
	Obesity ups risks in pediatric procedural sedation (HealthDay)—For pediatric patients undergoing procedural sedation, obesity is associated with increased risk of adverse respiratory events and frequency of airway interventions, according to research published in the July issue of Pediatric Anesthesia.
	Macrolide resistance doesn't impact pneumonia outcomes (HealthDay)—Patients hospitalized with macrolide-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae pneumonia are not more severely ill and do not have worse outcomes, according to a study published in the June 1 issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
	Physical activity inversely tied to hypoglycemia with coma in T1DM (HealthDay)—For patients with type 1 diabetes, regular physical activity (PA) is beneficial for glycemic control, diabetes-linked comorbidities, and cardiovascular risk factors, without apparent increase in adverse events, according to a study published online May 26 in Diabetes Care.
	Study estimates incidence of surgical never events (HealthDay)—Wrong-site surgery and retained surgical items still occur, and evidence for interventions to prevent these is limited, according to a review published online June 10 in JAMA Surgery.
	Aerobic fitness measures predict post-AAA complications (HealthDay)—Cardiopulmonary exercise testing variables can predict postoperative complications after abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, according to a study published in the June issue of Anaesthesia.
	Severely impaired stroke survivors regain arm function after intensive physical therapy Time may heal all wounds, but in the case of stroke survivors, the key to better recovery is to spend more time in an intensive physical therapy program, according to a University of Florida Health study.
	Some graduating seniors not matching to residency positions (HealthDay)—More than 250 of this year's graduating seniors from U.S. medical schools did not match to a residency position, according to the American Medical Association.
Biologics improve productivity and reduce missed workdays in rheumatic disease The results of a systematic review of published studies presented today at the European League Against Rheumatism Annual Congress (EULAR 2015) Press Conference showed that biologics improve both absenteeism (not showing up for work) and presenteeism (being at work but not functioning fully) in patients with chronic inflammatory arthritides. Rheumatic conditions are the most frequently cited reason for absence from work, and these findings suggest that biologics could significantly reduce the economic burden of these diseases.
	New tracking tool for pathogen investigators A fast-reproducing genus of bacterium, Salmonella, can—depending on the group, or serotype—be a virulent pathogen that sickens farm animals and humans. Now, Agricultural Research Service veterinary medical officer Jean Guard has developed an improved, cost-effective diagnostic tool and dataset for identifying various strains of Salmonella. The tool, called "Intergenic Sequence Ribotyping," or ISR, is helping improve poultry production and human health internationally, because it helps control Salmonella's presence in the field and in consumer poultry products.
WHO to hold MERS emergency meeting next week The World Health Organization said Friday it would call an emergency meeting next week on the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) as the death toll from the virus rises in South Korea.
Oregon 1st to cover 12 months of birth control at a time It's a like ritual for women across the nation: frequent treks to the pharmacist to refill birth control prescriptions.
	Jeni's halts production after listeria again found in plant Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams has found listeria in its plant again and has halted production and closed retail shops for the second time since April, the company said Friday.
	New bird flu cases slow, focus turns to preventing repeat No new bird flu cases have been reported in nearly a week on commercial farms in Minnesota and Iowa, giving government officials, scientists and farmers hope that the worst U.S. outbreak of the bird flu is, though not over, winding down.
US anthrax samples shipped to Japan in 2005: Pentagon The US military shipped live anthrax to an American base in Japan a decade ago, bringing to five the number of countries that were inadvertently sent the lethal bacteria, officials said Friday.
Carter Center receives $10 million to fight river blindness Former President Jimmy Carter hopes a $10 million donation to end river blindness in Nigeria where it is most prevalent will help spark a global effort to eliminate the disease.
World Bank: 400 mn stil lack access to key health care services Some 400 million people worldwide lack access to essential health services, and the cost of healthcare is forcing many into poverty, the World Bank and World Health Organization reported Friday.
Sierra Leone announces new curfew to halt Ebola Sierra Leone's President Ernest Bai Koroma said Friday he was imposing a three-week daytime curfew in the last Ebola-hit areas in a bid to curb a resurgence of the deadly virus.
Eight get rabies shots after student brings bat to school Eight people in Montana are receiving rabies shots as a precaution after a middle school student found a bat at home and brought it to science class in a bag, health officials said.

Biology news

	Dogs snub people who are mean to their owners, study finds Dogs do not like people who are mean to their owners, Japanese researchers said Friday, and will refuse food offered by people who have snubbed their master.
	Polar bears develop taste for dolphins as Arctic warms Norwegian scientists have seen polar bears eating dolphins in the Arctic for the first time ever and blame global warming for the bears expanding their diet.
	Ants have different 'standards' when it comes to choosing a home Ants use collective decision-making to select the best option when choosing a new home. Until now, the exact way in which they do this has puzzled researchers. A new study, led by the University of Bristol and published in Royal Society Open Science, found that while some are happy to slum it out in anything with a roof, others are so choosy that even the equivalent of a mansion will not satisfy them.
	We are entering a 'golden age' of animal tracking Animals wearing new tagging and tracking devices give a real-time look at their behavior and at the environmental health of the planet, say research associates at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in the June 12 issue of Science magazine.
	Injured bald eagle treated and successfully released into wild A rehabilitated bald eagle that underwent surgery earlier this year at Iowa State University to repair a broken wing has made a successful recovery and was released back into the wild on Monday.
	Dogs are able to follow human gaze Dogs are known to be excellent readers of human body language in multiple situations. Surprisingly, however, scientists have so far found that dogs do not follow human gaze into distant space. Scientists at the Messerli Research Institute at the Vetmeduni Vienna investigated how this skill of dogs is influenced by aging, habituation and formal training. The outcome: Gaze following to human gaze cues did not differ over the dogs' lifespan, however, formal training was found to directly influence gaze following in dogs. The results were published in the journal Animal Behaviour.
	Goldfields ant nests under surveillance for elusive butterfly Researchers searching for the rare arid bronze azure butterfly (Ogyris subterrestris petrina), which recently had its conservation status upgraded to critically endangered, are utilising existing data on ant nests to find their prize.
	Real-time probe illuminates snapper stocks Department of Fisheries (DoF) scientists are 'lighting up' DNA from pink snapper (Chrysophrys auratus) eggs to better estimate the health of west coast stocks.
	The ocean's internet fits on a transmitter smaller than a USB A new paper, published in Science, details the explosion in aquatic animal tracking research over the past 30 years and its impact on discoveries about the movements, migrations, interactions and survival of both common and elusive aquatic species.
	Dragonfly watch – find those fast and furious insects "I'm an aquatic entomologist, and dragonflies and damselflies are the most colorful and noticeable insects in the habitats in which I work," says Dr. Celeste A. Searles Mazzacano, a staff scientist and Aquatic Conservation Director at the Xerces Society. In her role as the project coordinator for the Migratory Dragonfly Partnership, she continues to add acclaim to these fast and furious little critters, "The nymphs are amazing predators with extremely cool adaptations for feeding—hinge-toothed lower lips that shoot out faster than the eye can see—and respiration rectal gills that double as a jet-propulsion chamber!"

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