Science X Newsletter Monday, Jun 15

Dear Reader ,

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

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Graphene gets bright: World's thinnest lightbulb developed
- Why did the dinosaur cross the equator... but choose not to live there?
- Best of Last Week—New violations of local realism, a computer that runs on water droplets and nuts warding off diseases
- Researchers develop a new type of gecko-like gripper
- Small thunderstorms may add up to massive cyclones on Saturn
- Researchers grind nanotubes to get nanoribbons
- Newfound groups of bacteria are mixing up the tree of life
- Chemists are first to see elements transform at atomic scale
- Vulnerabilities in genome's 'dimmer switches' should shed light on many complex diseases
- Lab mimicry opens a window to the deep interiors of stars and planets
- Researchers develop lower-cost, more efficient nanostructure for fuel cells
- Toothed whales have survived millions of years without key antiviral proteins
- 'Hello Earth!': Comet probe Philae wakes up
- Bacterial genome scalpel can identify key gene regions
- New study favors cold, icy early Mars

Astronomy & Space news

	'Hello Earth!': Comet probe Philae wakes up The European space probe Philae woke up overnight after nearly seven months in hibernation as it hurtled towards the Sun on the back of a comet, mission control said Sunday.
	Small thunderstorms may add up to massive cyclones on Saturn For the last decade, astronomers have observed curious "hotspots" on Saturn's poles. In 2008, NASA's Cassini spacecraft beamed back close-up images of these hotspots, revealing them to be immense cyclones, each as wide as the Earth. Scientists estimate that Saturn's cyclones may whip up 300 mph winds, and likely have been churning for years.
	Scientists emerge from isolated dome on Hawaii volcano slope (Update) Six scientists who were living under a dome on the slopes of a dormant Hawaii volcano for eight months to simulate life on Mars have emerged from isolation.
	Philae lander makes fresh contact from comet surface (Update) Europe's robot lab Philae has called home once more, a day after sending its first message in seven months in its trek towards the Sun on the back of a comet, mission officals said Monday.
	Image: Hubble captures galaxy PGC 18431 There are many galaxies in the universe and although there is plenty of room, they tend to stick together. The Milky Way, for example, is part of a large gathering of more than fifty galaxies known as the Local Group. Galaxy groups like this come together to form even larger groups called clusters which can congregate further still to create mammoth superclusters.
	3-D printed rocket engine aims for flight record On a hot, dusty Friday evening in May, a caravan of five cars packed with UC San Diego students rolled onto FAR site in the Mojave Desert—a 10-acre property established by the Friends of Amateur Rocketry, Inc. to safely test and launch rockets. It took three tries, but the UC San Diego chapter of Students for the Exploration and Development of Space were able to successfully test the latest version of their 3-D-printed rocket engine.
	New scientific dawn may beckon for Europe's comet lab (Update) Europe's comet probe Philae may soon resume work after seven months in hibernation, delving deeper for existential secrets thought to lie hidden under the surface of its frozen host, controllers said Monday.
	New study favors cold, icy early Mars The high seas of Mars may never have existed, according to a new study that looks at two opposite climate scenarios of early Mars and suggests that a cold and icy planet billions of years ago better explains water drainage and erosion features seen on the planet today.
	A timeline of comet probe's 11-year journey The European Space Agency said Sunday that its comet lander Philae has woken up from hibernation and managed to send data back to Earth for the first time in seven months. The probe went quiet on Nov. 15, three days after it was separated from its mother ship Rosetta and touched down on the city surface of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.
	Cosmic ray observatory to expand Physicists plan a $6.4 million expansion of the $25 million Telescope Array observatory in Utah so they can zero in on a "hotspot" that seems to be a source of the most powerful particles in the universe: ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays.
	DIY satellite launches from backyard shed to lower orbit Working from his shed in suburban Perth Stuart McAndrew is constructing Australia's first Rubik's Cube-sized satellite which he hopes to launch into orbit next year.
	Super-sharp view of the Great Pyramids from space On his last full day in space aboard the International Space Station (ISS), NASA astronaut Terry Virts at last captured a truly iconic shot of one of the "Seven Wonders of the World" – the Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.
	UK amateur recreates the Great Red Spot's glory days Maybe it's too soon for a pity party, but the profound changes in the size and prominence of Jupiter's Great Red Spot (GRS) in the past 100 years has me worried. After Saturn's rings, Jupiter's big bloody eye is one of astronomy's most iconic sights.
	What is Halley's Comet? Halley's Comet, also known as 1P/Halley, is the most well known comet in the Solar System. As a periodic (or short-term comet) it has orbital period that is less than 200 years, and has therefore been observed more than once by people here on Earth over the centuries.
	Intelligent life in the universe? Phone home, dammit! We've been conditioned by television and movies to accept the likelihood of intelligent life elsewhere in the Universe. "Of course there's intelligent life out there; I saw it last week on Star Trek." We've seen it all, from the cute and cuddly ET to the fanged monstrosity of Alien.
	Earthlings, NASA send toast to Martians: Happy New Year! Earth to Mars: Happy New Year!
	NASA image: Tethys 'eyes' Saturn The two large craters on Tethys, near the line where day fades to night, almost resemble two giant eyes observing Saturn.
	Close approach of Venus and Jupiter visible in evening sky Armagh Observatory reports that the next two weeks will provide an interesting opportunity to observe the brightest planet, Venus, and the largest planet, Jupiter, as they move towards one another in the evening twilight.

Technology news

	Smart Palms on Dubai beaches: fast connections, fast charging Dubai is known for its aggressive embrace of design and engineering feats to boost investment and tourism, and it is getting "smarter." Dubai has been putting in place its Smart Palm, to provide, for free, Wi-Fi (the connection delivers high-speed Internet access), charging station and weather information for people on the beach.
	MX3D is to 3D-print a steel bridge over water in Amsterdam MX3D is an R&D startup focused on 3D-printing metals and resin in mid-air, without the need for support structures. They pride themselves in "robotic technology with which we can 3D print beautiful, functional objects in almost any form." Now they say "We are going to print a steel bridge in Amsterdam." The robots will be printing in steel and the robots will print that bridge over water in Amsterdam. The project team sees the metal bridge as serving as a showcase for present-day capabilities in software, engineering and design.
	Can phone data detect real-time unemployment? If you leave your job, chances are your pattern of cellphone use will also change. Without a commute or workspace, it stands to reason, most people will make a higher portion of their calls from home—and they might make fewer calls, too.
	SpaceX announces design competition for Hyperloop Billionaire Elon Musk wants to jump-start his Hyperloop high-speed transit system.
	Emoji-only passcode system aims to make online banking safer UK-based Intelligent Environments is a company that seeks "To lead the way financial services interact in the digital world," and has come up with an alternative to PIN codes for online banking. PINs present a twin risk for banking customers because they are difficult to remember by banking customers in safer configurations of characters and numbers and yet easy to crack in less safe configurations by thieves seeking accounts and money.
	Chinese hackers got US security files: report A data breach of millions of US government employees allowed Chinese hackers to access sensitive information including security clearances of the workers and contractors, the Washington Post said.
	US data breach is intelligence coup for China The hacking of millions of US government employees is likely part of an effort by Chinese intelligence for long-term profiling—and possibly more nefarious things.
	YouTube getting into game of streaming play YouTube on Friday said it is creating an online arena devoted to video game play, jumping onto a hot "e-sports" trend and challenging Amazon-owned Twitch.
	For a few game publishers, E3 a chance to take control E3 is a loud place—and not just because of all the virtual bullets and explosions whizzing around attendees.
	Spying fears prompt smartphone ban for Iran officials Iranian officials with access to classified information will be forbidden from using smartphones in connection with their work because of fears of espionage, a security official said Saturday.
	Officials say deeply personal information in hackers' hands Deeply personal information submitted by U.S. intelligence and military personnel for security clearances—mental illnesses, drug and alcohol use, past arrests, bankruptcies and more—is in the hands of hackers linked to China, officials say.
	India's booming taxi-app firms endure bumpy ride India's ultra-competitive app-based taxi-hailing market has quickly become a multi-billion-dollar industry, but controversy surrounding safety, rejected licences and protesting cabbies threatens to slam the brakes on its spectacular rise.
	Virtual reality to get real at E3 video game show Virtual reality and the battle to stream play online will take center stage at an Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) video game extravaganza kicking off in Los Angeles on Tuesday.
	Twitter's twists and turns—can it keep flying? The Pope is on Twitter, along with the Dalai Lama, world leaders and, of course, Kim Kardashian.
	Vast data warehouse raises HealthCare.gov privacy concerns (Update) A government data warehouse that stores personal information on millions of HealthCare.gov customers is raising privacy concerns at a time when major breaches have become distressingly common.
	Green-minded Paris Air Show takes off The world's leading air show opened Monday near the French capital with a special focus on green issues alongside the traditional sales war between Airbus and Boeing.
For app developers, more big changes are coming soon The App Store revolutionized the tech world when it opened in summer 2008, spawning a billion-dollar industry in one fell swoop. It was neither the first nor the largest back then, but the store quickly exploded in popularity, prompting Apple co-founder Steve Jobs to say "it is going to be very hard for others to catch up."
	New 'Fallout' builds Bethesda video game muscle Bethesda Software unveiled the latest installment of its "Fallout" video game franchise late Sunday, flaunting a new line-up of powerhouse sequels to its blockbuster hits.
New electric engine improves safety of light aircraft Researchers at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) and the AXTER Aerospace firm have developed an electric propulsion system to install in small gasoline-powered planes for extra power and range in emergency situations. This new hybrid system could prevent 600 accidents a year.
	Alibaba plans Netflix-like service in China: report China's Alibaba plans to launch an online video service that mimics that of US streaming giant Netflix, a report said Monday, marking the e-commerce giant's latest move to expand its business scope.
Chinese taxi app raising $1.5 billion to battle Uber: report China's top taxi hailing app backed by tech giants Alibaba and Tencent will raise at least $1.5 billion, Bloomberg News reported on Monday, as the company gears up to take on Uber in the country's expanding transportation market.
	The race for better batteries "The worldwide transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources of energy is under way…" according to the Earth Policy Institute's new book, The Great Transition.
	Solar cells in the roof and nanotechnology in the walls It isn't cars and vehicle traffic that produce the greatest volumes of climate gas emissions – it's our own homes. But new research will soon be putting an end to all that!
Secrets of innovation revealed in study of global video game industry From the adventures of Lara Croft in Tomb Raider to the apocalyptic drama of Fallout - new research from the University of Warwick has revealed the secret to how some of the world's most iconic video games were created.
New honeycomb-inspired design delivers superior protection from impact Researchers in the Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin have developed a groundbreaking new energy-absorbing structure to better withstand blunt and ballistic impact. The technology, called negative stiffness (NS) honeycombs, can be integrated into car bumpers, military and athletic helmets and other protective hardware.
	EU moves toward single set of rules on data protection The EU said it has moved closer Monday to a single set of rules across the 28-nation bloc to protect the privacy of citizens using the Internet.
	Facebook launches private photo sharing for friends Facebook on Monday unveiled a new feature that allows smartphone users to privately share photos of friends, by sifting through images with facial recognition technology.
	Belgian watchdog takes Facebook to court over privacy concerns A privacy watchdog said Monday it is taking Facebook to court in Belgium for tracking Internet users, including those who are not members of the US social media network.
	Slow sales cause Honda to scrub natural gas, hybrid Civics Slow sales and falling gasoline prices have prompted Honda to stop selling gas-electric hybrid and natural gas-powered versions of its Civic compact car.
	The Latest: Pele appears on stage at EA's E3 briefing (Update) 1:50 p.m. PDT
	Researchers link Ebola news coverage to public panic using Google, Twitter data Using Twitter and Google search trend data in the wake of the very limited U.S. Ebola outbreak of October 2014, a team of researchers from Arizona State University, Purdue University and Oregon State University have found that news media is extraordinarily effective in creating public panic.
	Old video games get new life on Xbox One consoles Microsoft played to the hearts of gamers on Monday with word that they will be able to switch on beloved old video games on new-generation Xbox One consoles.
	French app hopes to link Muslim faithful with prayer sites They simply wanted a place to pray, as required five times a day for faithful Muslims. But in France, that's not necessarily simple.
	Bethesda kicks off E3 with 'Doom,' 'Fallout 4' Bethesda jump started the Electronic Entertainment Expo by showing off the latest installments of "Fallout" and "Doom."
A smart faсade that saves energy and reduces bills Imagine a hot climate in a residential building at noon: the shutters are down. There is no breeze but the air is not stifling. This is possible thanks to a ventilated façade that circulates fresh air saved the previous night.

Medicine & Health news

	Vulnerabilities in genome's 'dimmer switches' should shed light on many complex diseases Up to one-fifth of human DNA act as dimmer switches for nearby genes, but scientists have long been unable to identify precisely which mutations in these genetic control regions really matter in causing common diseases. Now, a decade of work at Johns Hopkins has yielded a computer formula that predicts with far more accuracy than current methods which mutations are likely to have the largest effect on the activity of the dimmer switches, suggesting new targets for diagnosis and treatment of many diseases.
	Can't help falling in love? Why divorce and separation might not be that bad for your health Middle-aged men and women who have experienced the upheaval of separation, divorce and remarriage are almost as healthy as couples in stable marriages, according to a new study involving LSE.
	Body's response to injury and inflammation may hinder wound healing in diabetes One of the body's own tools for preventing wound infections may actually interfere with wound healing, according to new research from Boston Children's Hospital. In a study published online in Nature Medicine, scientists from the hospital's Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine (PCMM) found they could speed up wound healing in diabetic mice by keeping immune cells called neutrophils from producing bacteria-trapping neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs).
	New vision on amygdala after study on testosterone and fear The activity of the emotion centres in the brain – the amygdalae – is influenced by motivation rather than by the emotions themselves. This can be concluded from research carried out at Radboud University into the hormone testosterone. Testosterone increases amygdala activity in a person who is approaching a socially threatening situation and decreases the activity when such a situation is avoided.
	New clues in mice link cholesterol to fertility Whether made by the body or ingested through diet, cholesterol plays a vital role in cells. Cholesterol also is a building block of steroids and hormones, including those that trigger puberty and support pregnancy. A new study implicates a surprising regulator of cholesterol in cells' ability to make these hormones, especially in tissues associated with fertility, such as the ovaries.
	Drug combination highlights potential new depression treatment Scientists at our University have identified that a combination of two existing licensed drugs could be used as a potential new treatment for depression.
	Scientists find genetic variants key to understanding origins of ovarian cancer New research by an international team including Keck Medicine of USC scientists is bringing the origins of ovarian cancer into sharper focus.
	Avocados may hold the answer to beating leukemia Rich, creamy, nutritious and now cancer fighting. New research reveals that molecules derived from avocados could be effective in treating a form of cancer.
	Researchers correlate rheumatoid arthritis and giant cell arteritis with solar cycles What began as a chat between husband and wife has evolved into an intriguing scientific discovery. The results, published in May in BMJ (formerly British Medical Journal) Open, show a "highly significant" correlation between periodic solar storms and incidences of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and giant cell arteritis (GCA), two potentially debilitating autoimmune diseases. The findings by a rare collaboration of physicists and medical researchers suggest a relationship between the solar outbursts and the incidence of these diseases that could lead to preventive measures if a causal link can be established.
	'Crosstalk' gives clues to diabetes Sometimes, listening in on a conversation can tell you a lot. For Mark Huising, an assistant professor in the Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior at the UC Davis College of Biological Sciences, that crosstalk is between the cells that control your body's response to sugar, and understanding the conversation can help us understand, and perhaps ultimately treat, diabetes.
	Vitamin D status related to immune response to HIV-1 Vitamin D plays an important part in the human immune response and deficiency can leave individuals less able to fight infections like HIV-1. Now an international team of researchers has found that high-dose vitamin D supplementation can reverse the deficiency and also improve immune response.
	S.Korea MERS virus outbreak "large and complex": WHO South Korea's outbreak of the deadly MERS virus is "large and complex" and more cases should be expected, a team of World Health Organization (WHO) experts said Saturday.
	Experts expect more MERS cases, downplay chance of pandemic Experts from the World Health Organization and South Korea on Saturday downplayed concerns about the MERS virus spreading further within the country, which recorded its 14th death and 12 new infections, but said that it was premature to declare the outbreak over.
S.Korea reports 14th MERS death, 12 new cases South Korea on Saturday reported the 14th death from an outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), with 12 new cases including that of an ambulance driver who moved a patient infected with the deadly virus.
Dose reduction strategy can substantially reduce high cost of TNF inhibitor therapy in RA The results of a study presented today at the European League Against Rheumatism Annual Congress (EULAR 2015) showed that, in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, a good clinical response to maintenance treatment with a tumour necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) was maintained even when the dose was reduced by one-third.
Patients with primary hand OA should not be prescribed hydroxychloroquine The results of an interventional trial presented today at the European League Against Rheumatism Annual Congress (EULAR 2015) showed that use of the disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug hydroxychloroquine for 24 weeks did not diminish mild-moderate pain from primary hand osteoarthritis (OA). Furthermore, treatment did not improve overall physical, social and emotional wellbeing. These findings suggest that hydroxychloroquine should no longer be routinely prescribed for patients with this form of arthritis.
	Surgeon promising first human head transplant makes US pitch An Italian neurosurgeon's project to undertake the first human head transplant has received a skeptical welcome in the United States, where he made a pitch to donors and fellow scientists.
S. Korea reports 15th MERS death, seven new cases (Update) South Korea Sunday reported its 15th death from the MERS virus as the growing outbreak that has now infected 145 forced one of the nation's biggest hospitals to suspend most services.
	Vessel boost tied to improved surgical resection rate (HealthDay)—For patients with borderline resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma (BRPAC) and locally-advanced PAC (LAPAC) treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation (NACRT), dose escalation with a vessel boost (VB) correlates with a trend toward improvement in the surgical resection rate. These findings were published online June 12 in Practical Radiation Oncology.
	Younger adults receiving excess anticoagulant dosing in PCI (HealthDay)—Many younger adults with acute myocardial infarction undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) receive excess dosing of anticoagulants, with evidence of a trend toward an association between excess dosing and increased bleeding, according to a study published in the July 1 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
	Mindfulness shows promise in eating disorder prevention (HealthDay)—Mindfulness may be a promising approach for prevention of eating disorders among adolescent girls, according to a study published online June 6 in the International Journal of Eating Disorders.
	Tattoos can mimic metastasis on PET-CT in cervical cancer (HealthDay)—For patients with cervical cancer, extensive tattoos could mimic metastasis on positron emission tomography (PET) fused with computed tomography (CT) imaging, according to a case report published online June 5 in Obstetrics & Gynecology.
	Chamomile tea tied to longer lives for Mexican-American women (HealthDay)—Consumption of chamomile may be linked to a longer lifespan for older Mexican-American women, new research suggests.
	FDA approves brain stimulation device for Parkinson's disease (HealthDay)—The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved a device that can be implanted into the brain to help people battling Parkinson's disease.
One in five young VTE patients require psychotropic drugs within five years EuroHeartCare is the official annual meeting of the Council on Cardiovascular Nursing and Allied Professions (CCNAP) of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). The 2015 meeting is held 14 to 15 June in Dubrovnik, Croatia, in collaboration with the Croatian Association of Cardiology Nurses.
Power of the media's impact on medicine use revealed More than 60,000 Australians are estimated to have reduced or discontinued their use of prescribed cholesterol-lowering statin medications following the airing of a two-part series critical of statins by ABC TV's science program, Catalyst, a University of Sydney study reveals in the latest Medical Journal of Australia.
	Study of returns to the ER suggests lack of follow-up care No one wants to make a repeat visit to the emergency room for the same complaint, but new research suggests it's more common than previously thought and surprisingly, people frequently wind up at a different ER the second time around.
	Lack of evidence on how to care for hip fracture patients with dementia Medical guidance on how to care for elderly people with dementia following a hip fracture is 'sadly lacking' according to researchers at the University of East Anglia.
	Endometriosis associated with a greater risk of complications in pregnancy Women with endometriosis are at an increased risk of miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy, according to results of a huge nationwide study presented today. Moreover, women with a history of endometriosis whose pregnancies progressed beyond 24 weeks were found to be at a higher than average risk of complications, including haemorrhage (ante- and postpartum) and preterm birth.
	ALK1 protein may play a role in breast cancer metastasis Breast cancer patients with high levels of the protein activin-like receptor kinase (ALK1) in the blood vessels of their tumors were more likely to develop metastatic disease. This makes inhibition of the ALK1 pathway a possible new target for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.
Blood antibodies may predict HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer survival The presence of certain human papillomavirus (HPV)-16 antibodies in the blood was associated with improved rates of survival among patients with HPV-related oropharyngeal carcinoma.
	American Thoracic Society issues recommendations on healthy sleep The American Thoracic Society has released a policy statement with recommendations for clinicians and the general public on achieving good quality sleep and getting an adequate quantity of sleep.
	Visualizing calcified coronary arteries may be wake-up call to change lifestyle Looking at images of their own calcified coronary arteries may be a wake-up call for patients with newly diagnosed coronary artery disease to change their lifestyles, reveals new research. The study was presented today at EuroHeartCare 2015 by Rikke Elmose Mols, a nurse and Ph.D. student in the Department of Cardiology at Aarhus University Hospital-Skejby in Denmark.
	Poor sleep associated with increased risk of heart attack and stroke Poor sleep is associated with increased risk of heart attack and stroke, according to results from the WHO MONICA study. The research was presented at EuroHeartCare 2015 today by Professor Valery Gafarov, professor of cardiology at the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences in Novosibirsk, Russia.
'Excessive' public alarm as S. Korea reports 16th MERS death (Update) South Korea Monday reported its 16th death in an expanding MERS outbreak, as President Park Geun-Hye called for efforts to shore up the economy against what she called "excessive" public alarm.
	Assisted reproduction not associated with reduced academic performance in adolescence The academic performance of children conceived by assisted reproduction techniques (ART) is no better or worse than that of spontaneously conceived children when assessed at the ninth grade of their school education. Similarly, ART singletons and ART twins also had comparable test scores, suggesting, say the investigators, that "the higher obstetric risk" identified in ART pregnancies - and particularly in twins - "is not associated with poorer academic performance in adolescence".
Uterine transplantation: Subjects have 'adjusted well to their new life situation' In October last year the Gothenburg, Sweden, group of Mats Brännström, announced the world's first live birth following the transplantation of a donated uterus.1 In an editorial accompanying the report, The Lancet listed this remarkable achievement as comparable to only three other landmarks in the history of reproductive medicine: "the arrival of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) in the late 1970s; the development of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in the early 1990s; the first ovarian transplant a decade ago; and [now] the first live birth after uterine transplantation".
	Unraveling the link between brain and lymphatic system In a study published in The Journal of Experimental Medicine, researchers working at the Wihuri Research Institute and the University of Helsinki report a surprising finding that challenges current anatomy and histology textbook knowledge: Lymphatic vessels are found in the central nervous system where they were not known to exist. Aleksanteri Aspelund and colleagues discovered the meningeal linings of brain have a lymphatic vessel network that has direct connections to the systemic lymphatic network elsewhere in the body.
	Active clinician support and assistance are critical to successfully quitting smoking Does participation in the annual lung cancer screening currently recommended for people with high-risk smoking histories encourage those who are still smoking to quit? A new study from a Massachusetts General Hospital research team (MGH) finds that the answer may depend on the level of support given by patients' primary care providers. In the report receiving online publication in JAMA Internal Medicine, the team finds that, while providers' asking such patients about smoking did not increase their likelihood of quitting, providing more direct assistance - such as talking about how to quit smoking, recommending or prescribing nicotine replacement or pharmaceutical aids, and following up on recommendations - significantly improved patients' success in becoming smoke-free.
	Study estimates deaths attributable to cigarettes for 12 smoking-related cancers Researchers estimate that 48.5 percent of the nearly 346,000 deaths from 12 cancers among adults 35 and older in 2011 were attributable to cigarette smoking, according to an article published online by JAMA Internal Medicine.
	FDA ban on harmful trans fats expected soon (HealthDay)—Harmful trans fats may soon be banished from America's food supply, following a U.S. Food and Drug Administration announcement expected any day now.
Prescription drug price battles show no sign of letting up The decision this week by experts at the Food and Drug Administration to endorse a pair of medicines aimed at combating heart disease brought on the latest round of hand-wringing over prescription drug costs.
Scientists to breed ticks to study how to slow spread of diseases To most people, ticks are loathsome, disease-riddled little bloodsuckers. Best avoided.
Norwegian screening program has markedly reduced breast cancer mortality Under the Norwegian Breast Cancer Screening Programme, all women aged 50 to 69 are invited for mammography screening every two years. The programme was launched as a pilot project in four counties in 1995/96 and went national in 2004. The purpose of mammography examination is to detect tumours at an early enough stage to begin effective treatment and reduce mortality.The evaluation report was recently submitted to Minister of Health and Care Services Bent Høie.
	Boredom blamed for young male risk taking in study Young males are prone to boredom behind the wheel, according to a QUT road safety researcher who is looking to use gadgets and games behind the wheel to make risky drivers safer on the roads.
New IVF technique uses signalling molecule found naturally in a mother's uterus Couples undergoing IVF will soon benefit from the next phase a novel treatment option that cultures an embryo in an environment that closely mimics what occurs naturally in a mother during conception.
	Researchers find gene responsible for breast cancer cell metastases A particular human gene variant makes breast cancer cells more aggressive. Not only are these more resistant to chemotherapy but also leave the primary tumour and establish themselves in other parts of the body in the form of metastases. An international group of researchers led by Lukas Kenner of MedUni Vienna has now identified a gene, AF1q, as being substantially responsible for this and recognized it as a possible starting point for more accurate diagnosis and potential targeted therapeutic approaches.
	Majority of adults favor ban on powdered alcohol After this year's legalization of powdered alcohol, some states have already banned it—a move that the majority of the public supports, according to a new University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health.
	Blame sugar? We've been doing that for over 100 years After a successful soda tax was passed last year in Berkeley, California, copycat laws are being proposed across the US, often with the support of nutritionists, medical professionals and a majority of the voting public. On May 28, the Illinois chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics endorsed an act that would use a tax on sugary drinks.
	Researchers develop a new method that could save diabetes patients from diabetic retinopathy More than 7.7 Americans suffer from diabetic retinopathy, the leading cause of blindness in American adults, according to the National Eye Institute at the National Institutes of Health. However, current diagnostic methods are invasive and inconvenient, causing half of afflicted patients to forgo eye exams, oblivious to their advancing disease until it's too late to receive sufficient treatment.
	Keeping track of weight daily may tip scale in your favor For those wishing to lose weight and keep it off, here's a simple strategy that works: step on a scale each day and track the results.
	Research shows most children do not regularly use e-cigarettes Children aged 11 to 16 who have never smoked do not regularly use e-cigarettes, according to new Cancer Research UK data being presented today (Friday) at the UK Nicotine and Smoking Cessation Conference  and will be published in the journal Nicotine and Tobacco Research .
	Researchers find possible association between obesity and male breast cancer Researchers at the University of Leeds have found a possible association between the rise in obesity and the increase in cases of male breast cancer.
Teen smoking dropped after minimum sales age rose A new study co-authored by Stephen Buka, professor and chair of epidemiology at Brown University, reports that the Massachusetts town of Needham successfully reduced teen smoking when it raised the minimum sales age for cigarettes to 21.
	Researchers want us to talk about pain and not suffer in silence At the start of national Men's Health Week, researchers from the University are embarking on a new study to understand more about the differences in how men and women express pain and how this might impact on their overall health.
	Diabetes prevention focus for psychology study Clinical psychologist and PhD researcher Sarah Malthus works with people who have serious complications of diabetes, such as amputations, kidney failure, and blindness.
	Fatty acids supplements help offset inflammation Taking a fatty acid supplement can help reduce inflammation for people with chronic kidney disease (CKD), research has found.
Call for urgent change to cervical cancer risk perception in older women As Cervical Screening Awareness Week begins, a Keele University academic is calling for cervical screening programmes and perceptions of cervical cancer to be reviewed urgently, to encourage more older women to get regularly screened.
	Researchers discover component of cinnamon prevents colorectal cancer in mice Research conducted at the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy and the UA Cancer Center indicates that a compound derived from cinnamon is a potent inhibitor of colorectal cancer.
	Mouse with weaker bones, stronger metabolism points toward new diabetes therapies One mouse with weak bones appears to have a strong metabolism, even on a high-fat diet, scientists report.
New mechanism that attacks viral infections discovered An innovative mechanism that the innate immune system uses to control viral infections has been uncovered by researchers at the University Medical Centers in Mainz and Freiburg. Central to this is the discovery that two different but related elements of the immune system can act together in concert to fight, for example, rotavirus infections. Infection with rotavirus is the most common cause of diarrhea in children around the world. The results of the research have recently been published in the eminent scientific journal Nature Immunology.
Existing drug used in transplants causes older rats to lose weight Aging can cause many changes to the body, including obesity and a loss of lean mass. Now, a group of University of Florida Health researchers has discovered that an existing drug reduces body fat and appetite in older rats, which has intriguing implications for aging humans.
	Researchers look into the brains of chronic itch patients It's long been known that scratching evokes a rewarding and pleasurable sensation in patients with chronic itch. Now, researchers in the Department of Dermatology and Temple Itch Center at Temple University School of Medicine (TUSM) may be closer to understanding why.
	Gene therapy prevents Parkinson's disease in animal model Gene therapy to reduce production of a brain protein successfully prevented development of Parkinson's disease in an animal study, according to researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. The findings, published online today in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, could lead to new understanding of how genetic and environmental factors converge to cause the disease, and the development of effective treatments to prevent disease progression.
	Mutation in zinc transport protein may inhibit successful breast-feeding Zinc plays an important role in a woman's ability to successfully breast-feed her child, according to health researchers.
Study points to drug target for Huntington's disease Huntington's disease attacks the part of the brain that controls movement, destroying nerves with a barrage of toxicity, yet leaves other parts relatively unscathed.
	Researchers develop new technique for modeling neuronal connectivity using stem cells Human stem cells can be differentiated to produce other cell types, such as organ cells, skin cells, or brain cells. While organ cells, for example, can function in isolation, brain cells require synapses, or connectors, between cells and between regions of the brain. In a new study published in Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, researchers report successfully growing multiple brain structures and forming connections between them in vitro, in a single culture vessel, for the first time.
	Pharmacists play key role in improving patient health Over the past nine years, Scot H. Simpson, professor in the faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Alberta, has been studying the role of pharmacists on primary care teams and their impact on the health of patients with Type 2 diabetes.
	Legal experts: Law enforcement officers should be authorized to administer overdose antidote Opioid overdose is one of the leading causes of accidental death in the U.S. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the epidemic accounts for some 25,000 deaths per year—or approximately 68 fatalities per day.
Group memberships boost self-esteem more than friends alone Belonging to multiple groups that are important to you boosts self-esteem much more than having friends alone, new research has found.
	Dermatologist's tips for reducing scars after cuts, scrapes (HealthDay)—During the summer, people tend to get more scrapes, cuts and scratches, which can lead to scars.
	Pot 'dabbing' poses risk of serious burns, study warns (HealthDay)—A potentially hazardous form of marijuana use called "dabbing" is growing in popularity across the United States, researchers warn.
	U.S. hospitals seeing more kids with self-inflicted injuries (HealthDay)—A growing number of U.S. kids are landing in the ER because of self-inflicted injuries, a new study finds.
	Breast-feeding may have dental benefits, study suggests (HealthDay)—The more babies breast-feed, the less likely it is that they will develop any kind of misalignment in their teeth later on, a new study shows.
	Topical steroids can change course of vulvar lichen sclerosus (HealthDay)—For adult patients with vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS), long-term preventive topical corticosteroid (TCS) treatment is associated with improved outcomes, according to a study published online June 12 in JAMA Dermatology. The research was published to coincide with the World Congress of Dermatology, held from June 8 to 13 in Vancouver, Canada.
	DMARDs may be underused for low back pain (HealthDay)—Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) may be underutilized for treatment of low back pain (LBP), according to a review published online June 1 in Pain Practice.
	Low-salt diet boosts efficacy of antihypertensives (HealthDay)—A low-salt diet further improves the efficacy of antihypertensive drug regimens, according to a study published May 29 in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.
	Low serum 25(OH)D3 in patients newly diagnosed with T2DM (HealthDay)—Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25[OH]D3) is associated with glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and β-cell function in individuals with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes, according to a study published online June 5 in the Journal of Diabetes Investigation.
	Postpartum IUD use up with intracesarean placement (HealthDay)—The proportion of women using intrauterine devices (IUDs) at six months postpartum is higher for those undergoing intracesarean delivery placement versus those with planned interval IUD placement, according to a study published online June 5 in Obstetrics & Gynecology.
	Use of novel oral anticoagulants increasing in A-fib (HealthDay)—For patients with atrial fibrillation hospitalized with stroke or transient ischemic attack, use of novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) has increased over time, according to a study published online June 9 in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.
	Recurring postpartum depression screenings critical for minority mothers Minority mothers and their newborns are at increased risk for problems caused by postpartum depression according to researchers at Florida International University. A higher incidence of preterm births is partly to blame.
	Eating up to 100 g of chocolate daily linked to lowered heart disease and stroke risk Eating up to 100 g of chocolate every day is linked to lowered heart disease and stroke risk, finds research published online in the journal Heart.
	What's in a name? 'Death-associated protein' promotes cancer growth in most aggressive breast cancers Although traditionally understood to induce death in cancer cells, researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have discovered that the DAPK1 protein is actually essential for growth in breast and other cancers with mutations in the TP53 gene. This discovery indicates DAPK1 may be a promising new therapeutic target for many of the most aggressive cancers.
Health authorities repeating mistakes in Ebola fight: MSF Health authorities are repeating the mistakes of the past in combatting Ebola, more than a year after its onset in Guinea and Sierra Leone, the international president of Doctors Without Borders (MSF) warned Saturday.
'Sin tax' cuts cigarette smoking in Philippines: tax chief A "sin tax" on cigarettes has sharply cut smoking in the Philippines while also boosting government revenues, the internal revenue chief said Monday.
	Evidence supports therapeutic potential of plant-based terpenoids for skin diseases A review of clinical studies that used terpenoids to treat a variety of dermatological diseases demonstrated that this diverse class of phytochemicals may benefit patients with actinic keratosis, cutaneous candidiasis, hyperpigmentation, photoaging, and wounds. Evidence supporting the use of terpenoids in these disorders and linking the significant anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant properties of terpenoids to the pathogenic mechanisms underlying many cutaneous diseases is presented in a Review article published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.
	Patent awarded to KSU preclinical cancer detection test platform A U.S. patent has been awarded to a Kansas State University technology that quickly detects the early stages of cancer before physical symptoms ever appear.
Research may provide new targets for IBD therapies Modifying the small white blood cells that protect against disease might help treat immune disorders, according to a study1 published in Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the basic science journal of the American Gastroenterological Association. Specifically, researchers found that modulation of B lymphocyte function may be a means of regulating T lymphocyte function to treat immune-mediated disorders, including inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).
	Target selling pharmacy, clinic businesses to CVS Health (Update) Target will sell its pharmacy and clinic businesses to CVS Health in the latest twist behind a push from big retailers to become all things to all customers.
Air pollution may contribute to white matter loss in the brain In a new study, older women who lived in places with higher air pollution had significantly reduced white matter in the brain. For the study, a research team took brain MRIs of 1403 women who were 71 to 89 years old and used residential histories and air monitoring data to estimate their exposure to air pollution in the previous 6 to 7 years.
Use of osteoporosis drugs have dropped following media reports of safety concerns Following a decade of steady growth, use of bisphosphonates—medications that are effective for treating osteoporosis—declined in the United States by more than 50% from 2008 to 2012.
	Medical and health care challenges for lesbian and bisexual women highlighted in LGBT Health special More than one third of African American lesbian or bisexual women reported a negative experience with a heathcare provider and many of those women did not seek medical care the next time they were ill, according to a study published in LGBT Health, a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers. The article, part of a Special Issue on Lesbian and Bisexual Women's Health, is available free on the LGBT Health website.
Study provides insights on chronic lung disease A new study shows that shorter telomeres—which are the protective caps at the end of a cell's chromosomes—are linked with worse survival in a progressive respiratory disease called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). In patients with IPF, excessive scar tissue forms in the lungs.
Elder abuse is common around the world A new global review reveals that elder abuse—which includes psychological, physical, and sexual abuse; neglect; and financial exploitation—is common among community-dwelling older adults and is especially prevalent among minority older adults. Older adults with cognitive and physical impairments or psychosocial distress are also at increased risk of elder abuse.
UN aviation agency bans e-cigarettes in checked bags The International Civil Aviation Organization announced Monday a ban on e-cigarettes in checked baggage, following reports they have sparked fires in the cargo area of aircrafts.
Supreme Court won't revive North Carolina abortion law The Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal from North Carolina to revive a requirement that abortion providers show and describe an ultrasound to a pregnant woman before she has an abortion.
Medicare panel: Ease rehab coverage for seniors A panel that advises Congress on Medicare policy says the government should make it easier for seniors to get covered for rehab after a short hospital stay.
More dialysis patients living in poor neighborhoods Poverty is known to be a strong risk factor for end-stage kidney disease. Now, a first of-its-kind study has found that the association between poverty and kidney disease changes over time.
Hospital group says Illinois could lease Healthcare.gov A hospital group in cash-strapped Illinois says the state might be able to set up a health insurance exchange at a lower cost by "leasing" the federal government's technology, an option that could appeal to as many as 34 states where subsides could be jeopardized by an unfavorable U.S. Supreme Court decision.
	Lung transplant survival rates good for Canadians with cystic fibrosis The five-year survival rate for Canadians with cystic fibrosis who have received a lung transplant is 67 per cent and half of those who have had transplants live beyond 10 years, new research has found.
Physicians should help families with decisions about end-of-life care About 20 percent of Americans spend time in an intensive care unit around the time of their death, and most deaths follow a decision to limit life-sustaining therapies.

Biology news

	Newfound groups of bacteria are mixing up the tree of life University of California, Berkeley, scientists have identified more than 35 new groups of bacteria, clarifying a mysterious branch of the tree of life that has been hazy because these microbes can't be reared and studied in the lab.
	Toothed whales have survived millions of years without key antiviral proteins Researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine have determined that toothed whales lack functional Mx genes—a surprising discovery, since all 56 other sequenced mammals in the study possess these genes to fight off viruses like HIV, measles and flu.
	Scientists develop new technique for analyzing the epigenetics of bacteria Scientists from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have developed a new technique to more precisely analyze bacterial populations, to reveal epigenetic mechanisms that can drive virulence. The new methods hold the promise of a potent new tool to offset the growing challenge of antibiotic resistance by bacterial pathogens. The research was published today in the journal Nature Communications, and conducted in collaboration with New York University Langone Medical Center and Brigham and Women's Hospital of Harvard Medical School.
	Underground ants can't take the heat: Climage change models may not look closely enough at microhabitats Army ants, the nomadic swarming predators underfoot in the jungle, can take down a colony of prey animals without breaking a sweat. But certain army ant species can't take the heat.
	Scientists discover a bacterium that "breathes" uranium and renders it immobile A strain of bacteria that "breathes" uranium may hold the key to cleaning up polluted groundwater at sites where uranium ore was processed to make nuclear weapons.
	Vulnerability made us human: how our early ancestors turned disability into advantage A new evolutionary theory explains how critically small populations of early humans survived, despite an increased chance of hereditary disabilities being passed to offspring.
	Self-awareness not unique to mankind Humans are unlikely to be the only animal capable of self-awareness, a new study has shown.
	Biodiversity reduces human, wildlife diseases and crop pests With infectious diseases increasing worldwide, the need to understand how and why disease outbreaks occur is becoming increasingly important. Looking for answers, a team of University of South Florida (USF) biologists and colleagues found broad evidence that supports the controversial 'dilution effect hypothesis," which suggests that biodiversity limits outbreaks of disease among humans and wildlife.
	Evolution study finds massive genome shift in one generation A team of biologists from Rice University, the University of Notre Dame and three other schools has discovered that an agricultural pest that began plaguing U.S. apple growers in the 1850s likely did so after undergoing extensive and genome-wide changes in a single generation.
	Researchers sequence and assemble first full genome of a living organism using technology the size of smartphone Researchers in Canada and the U.K. have for the first time sequenced and assembled de novo the full genome of a living organism, the bacteria Escherichia Coli, using Oxford Nanopore's MinION device, a genome sequencer that can fit in the palm of your hand.
	Social structure matters in species conservation Many animal species, including humans, live and breed in groups with complex social organizations. The impact of this social structure on the genetic diversity of animals has been a source of disagreement between scientists. In a new study now published in the latest edition of the scientific journal PNAS, Barbara Parreira and Lounes Chikhi from Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia (IGC; Portugal) show that social structure is important to maintain the genetic diversity within species. The researchers provide a new mathematical model that can be used by population geneticists and ecologists to better predict how social groups will influence the way species maintain genetic diversity and evolve, and ultimately help in the conservation of species.
Bacterial genome scalpel can identify key gene regions In a study that twists nature's arm to gain clues into the varied functions of the bacterial genome, North Carolina State University researchers utilize a precision scalpel to excise target genomic regions that are expendable. This strategy can also elucidate gene regions that are essential for bacterial survival. The approach offers a rapid and effective way to identify core and essential genomic regions, eliminate non-essential regions and leads to greater understanding of bacterial evolution in a chaotic pool of gene loss and gene acquisition.
Conservation policies could improve human health Measures taken to protect ecosystems and the environment could also deliver public health benefits, according to a study published today.
	France bans sale of Monsanto herbicide Roundup in nurseries French Ecology Minister Segolene Royal announced Sunday a ban on the sale of popular weedkiller Roundup from garden centres, which the UN has warned may be carcinogenic.
	Some frogs surviving deadly chytrid fungus infection Australian scientists have found that some native frogs are winning their war against the world's most devastating frog-killer – the chytrid fungus – while others are losing it.
	Making sesame seeds a growth area in global food production Many people think of sesame seeds as a topping on hamburger buns at profitable global fast-food chains. But in fact the crop has traditionally been unprofitable and difficult to harvest because it produces a low yield. A high percentage of sesame seeds grown are not suitable for human consumption.
The secret to Usain Bolt's speed may lie in synchronicity Usain Bolt is one of the greatest athletes of all time. He is the fastest man in the world, holding the 100 metre sprint record of 9.58 seconds, which he achieved at the final of the 2009 IAAF World Championships in Berlin.
	This gorgeous moth is an invasive plant's worst nightmare Taming an invasive plant that's 8 feet tall and poisonous is no small feat, especially if you're a tiny moth.
	"Weirdo" mutant plant opens doors for food security The discovery that an Australian tobacco plant studied internationally as part of plant breeding programs is actually the genetic "weirdo" of its family holds huge potential for food security, experts say.
	What fish ears can tell us about sex, surveillance and sustainability Scientists at the University of Southampton have found a way to pry into the private lives of fish - by looking in their ears.
	Concentrating pathogenic bacteria accelerates their detection Rapidly detecting the presence of pathogenic bacteria is essential in a number of sectors, such as the food or cosmetics industries. To guarantee the absence of these bacteria, it is necessary to block batches for 24 to 48 hours before they are put on the market, which can be a handicap. After first developing a method to count bacteria of interest, scientists in the Laboratoire de Chimie Bactérienne (CNRS/Aix-Marseille Université), the Institut de Chimie des Substances Naturelles (CNRS) and the Institut de Chimie Moléculaire et des Matériaux in Orsay (CNRS/Université Paris-Sud) are now proposing a new technique to rapidly detect and concentrate cultivable Gram-negative bacteria. This innovative process, which will enable the release of commercial batches within a day and be exploited by the start-up company Click4Tag, is described in PLOS ONE on 10 June 2015.
	Bumble bees in the last frontier There is little information about bee populations in Alaska, where native bee pollination is critical to the maintenance of subarctic ecosystems. A team from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the USDA have now completed a two-year study on bumble bees in agricultural areas in the region. The research was published in the Biodiversity Data Journal.
	Microbe mobilizes 'iron shield' to block arsenic uptake in rice University of Delaware researchers have discovered a soil microbe that mobilizes an "iron shield" to block the uptake of toxic arsenic in rice.
	Exotic cats lend paws for better feline medicine What has spots, can jump more than seven feet straight up and is helping to improve the health of cats around the world?
	Texas floods can present health problems to livestock, pets Livestock and pet owners should be on the lookout for potential animal health issues related to flooding throughout Texas in recent weeks, said a Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory expert.
Veterinarian warns of parvo risk for puppies at parks If you're planning a trip to the dog park or a walk around a crowded park with your new puppy, you might want to wait a few weeks. A Kansas State University veterinarian says taking your puppy out before it has been fully vaccinated for parvovirus could be deadly, especially at this time of year.
	Removing lost fishing nets to protect the seabed To remove lost fishing nets and gear used in both artisan and leisure fishing from the seabed in order to avoid negative environmental impact on marine ecosystems is the main objective of the campaign that was set up on 12 June, at 10 a.m. The campaign was developed on board of the ship Freuetó, which departs from the port of L'Estartit. It is an initiative led by a group of experts from the Department of Ecology and the Biodiversity Research Institute (IRBio) of the University of Barcelona (UB) together with the Montgrí, Medes Islands and Baix Ter Natural Park.
	Exeter researchers lead international initiative to face devastating crop disease Wheat is the most widely-grown crop in the world and is worth around £1.8 billion to the UK economy. The cost of losses from Septoria tritici blotch (STB), a disease caused by the fungal pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici, to the UK economy can vary from £89 million to £180 million depending on the severity of the infection.
	New petition seeks to save elephants, end ivory importation in US Recent genomic research has prompted a petition that calls for the reclassification of African elephants from one threatened species to two endangered species to protect both from imminent extinction.
How an animal's biochemistry may support aggressive behavior Researchers who paired Siamese fighting fish in mock fights found that winning fish could supply more energy to their muscles during fights than losing fish.

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