Science X Newsletter Tuesday, Jul 7

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for July 7, 2015:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Decoding the brain: Scientists redefine and measure single-neuron signal-to-noise ratio
- Tiny wires could provide a big energy boost
- Engineers give invisibility cloaks a slimmer design
- Researchers build molecules using a laser beam
- Researcher disputes claim that humans can distinguish one trillion odors
- Astronomers use cosmic gravity to create a 'black-hole-scope'
- Graphene sheets enable ultrasound transmitters
- The role of species competition in biodiversity
- Could black phosphorus be the next silicon?
- Scientists study ways to integrate biofuels and food crops on farms
- Clash of the Titans: Japan vs US in mega-robot duel
- Opportunity's 7th Mars winter to include new study area
- Security experts warn against encryption 'backdoors'
- Enriched blood cells preserve cognition in mice with features of Alzheimer's disease
- Omnidirectional free space wireless charging developed

Astronomy & Space news

	Astronomers use cosmic gravity to create a 'black-hole-scope' The Integral, Fermi and Swift space observatories have used the magnifying power of a cosmic lens to explore the inner regions of a supermassive black hole.
	Spacecraft closing in on Pluto hits speed bump, but recovers NASA's New Horizons spacecraft is on track to sweep past Pluto next week despite hitting a "speed bump" that temporarily halted science collection.
	Rings and loops in the stars—Planck's stunning new images A ring of dust 200 light years across and a loop covering a third of the sky: two of the results in a new map from the Planck satellite. Dr Mike Peel and Dr Paddy Leahy of the Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics (JCBA) presented the images today at the National Astronomy Meeting (NAM 2015) at Venue Cymru, Llandudno, Wales.
	Earth and Mars could share a life history While life is everywhere on Earth, there is much debate about how it began. Some believe it originated naturally from the chemistry found on our planet as it evolved. Others hypothesize that life—or at least the building blocks of it like DNA—crashed onto our planet from such extraterrestrial bodies as comets.
	Opportunity's 7th Mars winter to include new study area Operators of NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity plan to drive the rover into a valley this month where Opportunity will be active through the long-lived rover's seventh Martian winter, examining outcrops that contain clay minerals.
	Transition discs in Ophiuchus and Taurus A star is typically born with a disk of gas and dust encircling it, from which planets develop as dust grains in the disk collide, stick together and grow. These disks, warmed by the star to a range of temperatures above the cold, ambient interstellar material, can be detected at infrared or millimeter wavelengths, and their infrared color used to characterize their properties. Stars older than about five million years lack evidence for these disks, however, suggesting that by this age most of the disk material has either been converted into planets or smaller bodies, accreted onto the star, or dispersed from the system. Transition disks bridge this period in disk evolution: They have not yet been disbursed, but although they are present they emit only slightly in the infrared. Their emission shows characteristically cooler temperatures, and signs that the innermost (hottest) regions have already disappeared and left a gap (or cav! ity) in the ring.
	Martian gems could point to evidence of life Scientists have discovered for the first time direct physical evidence of the existence of opals on Mars.
	ESA astronauts prepare for underwater training ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano is to lead NASA's 20th underwater astronaut training mission this month. Starting on 20 July, the 14-day NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations sortie, or NEEMO, will see a team of four living and working in the Aquarius underwater research station off the coast of Florida, USA.
	Team develops virtual reality edition of Stellarum for Oculus Rift Edinburgh astronomers have combined the new Oculus Rift virtual reality headset with Stellarium planetarium software to produce an exciting and immersive way to explore the sky. The system was demonstrated live today (7 July) at the National Astronomy Meeting at Venue Cymru in Llandudno, Wales, but soon will be available as a shared group experience to anyone who has a headset and an Internet connection. The technology offers the chance to engage new audiences with the night sky.
	In a cosmic 'call to arms,' astronomer proposes new deep-space telescope to scan the sky for signs of life Astronomers usually spend their time contemplating the heavens above. But one group of dedicated stargazers has challenged the community to look instead to the future, envisioning the tools for generating more celestial discoveries.
	Dawn holding in second mapping orbit NASA's Dawn spacecraft is healthy and stable, after experiencing an anomaly in the system that controls its orientation. It is still in its second mapping orbit 2,700 miles (4,400 kilometers) above dwarf planet Ceres.
	Catching Earth at aphelion Do you feel a little… distant today? The day after the 4th of July weekend brings with it the promise of barbecue leftovers and discount fireworks. It also sees our fair planet at aphelion, or its farthest point from the sun. In 2015, aphelion (or apoapsis) occurs at 19:40 Universal Time (UT)/3:40 PM EDT today, as we sit 1.01668 astronomical units (AU) from the sun. This translates to 152.1 million kilometres, or 94.5 million miles. We're actually 3.3% closer to the sun in early January than we are today. This also the latest aphelion has occurred on the calendar year since 2007, and it won't fall on July 6th again until 2018. The insertion of an extra day every leap year causes the date for Earth aphelion to slowly vary between July 3rd and July 6th in the current epoch.
	What is the newest planet? With astronomers discovering new planets and other celestial objects all the time, you may be wondering what the newest planet to be discovered is. Well, that depends on your frame of reference. If we are talking about our Solar System, then the answer used to be Pluto, which was discovered by the American astronomer Clyde William Tombaugh in 1930.
	Philae's comet may host alien 'life': astronomers Astronomers proposed a novel explanation Monday for the strange appearance of the comet carrying Europe's robot probe Philae through outer space: alien microscopic life.
	SpaceX close to figuring out rocket failure during launch SpaceX still is trying to figure out what caused its rocket to break apart during liftoff nine days ago, but is getting close to an answer, the company's chief executive said Tuesday.
	NASA selects leading-edge technology concepts for continued study NASA has selected seven technology proposals for continued study under Phase II of the agency's Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Program. The selections are based on the potential to transform future aerospace missions, introduce new capabilities or significantly improve current approaches to building and operating aerospace systems.

Technology news

	Students' 2098 mpg fuel-efficient car gets top score in mileage challenge SAE International, which is a global association of engineers and related experts in aerospace, automotive and commercial-vehicle industries, held its .36th SAE Supermileage competition in Michigan last month.
	What the dog-fish and camel-bird can tell us about how our brains work You may have seen some of the "nightmarish" images generated by Google's aptly named Inceptionism project. Here we have freakish fusions of dogs and knights (as in the image above), dumbells with arms attached (see below) and a menagerie of Hieronymus Bosch-ian creatures:
	Clash of the Titans: Japan vs US in mega-robot duel It could be the biggest heavyweight fight in history.
	Omnidirectional free space wireless charging developed Mobile devices, such as smartphones and laptops, have become indispensable portable items in modern life, but one big challenge remains to fully enjoying these devices: keeping their batteries charged.
	Scientists study ways to integrate biofuels and food crops on farms We ask a lot of the land: feed the world with crops, power the world with bioenergy, retain nutrients so they don't pollute our water and air. To help landscapes answer these high demands, scientists from the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory are designing ways to improve—and hopefully optimize—land use.
	Fewer women than men are shown Google ads related to high-paying jobs Experiments by Carnegie Mellon University showed that significantly fewer women than men were shown online ads promising them help getting jobs paying more than $200,000, raising questions about the fairness of targeting ads online.
	Security experts warn against encryption 'backdoors' A group of computer code experts said Tuesday that law enforcement cannot be given special access to encrypted communications without opening the door to "malicious" actors.
	FBI chief urges 'robust debate' on encryption FBI Director James Comey called Monday for public debate on the use of encrypted communications, saying Americans may not realize how radical groups and criminals are using the technology.
GoPro to sell smaller camera GoPro, the sports camera maker, plans to launch its smallest camera yet.
	Samsung forecasts profit fall as S6 sales disappoint Samsung Electronics Co. forecast a fall in second quarter profit in a sign that sales of its much anticipated Galaxy S6 smartphones failed to meet expectations.
	Young Indians embrace dating apps despite social taboos Aditi Mendiratta's biggest worry as she's swiping left and right is hiding the smartphone notifications that read "Congratulations! You have a new match" from her parents.
	Green Austria on warpath against nuclear power in Europe Austria's announcement Monday that it would challenge state aid for a new nuclear plant in Britain marks the latest step in the country's solo campaign to roll back atomic energy in Europe.
	A bridge to better batteries A major automaker came to Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory recently wanting to better understand battery degradation. After many months of intense collaborative research with a Berkeley Lab battery scientist, they gleaned some important insights into the conditions that may lead to battery failure, and even published a paper on their findings.
	Timing is everything in Tour de France sprints They say there is no such thing as second place in the Tour de France. The competition is hot, and the individual cyclists and their teams need to cover every possible detail in order to get the edge required to win.
	Is big data still big news? People talk about 'data being the new oil', a natural resource that companies need to exploit and refine. But is this really true or are we in the realm of hype? Mohamed Zaki explains that, while many companies are already benefiting from big data, it also presents some tough challenges.
The future of artificial intelligence Only a few years ago, it would have seemed improbable to assume that a piece of technology could quickly and accurately understand most of what you say – let alone translate it into another language.
Energiewende in the Alps: Switzerland's transition away from nuclear Switzerland has a long history of trying to be as self-sufficient and energy independent as possible. Although its energy supply system has served it well in the past, the country is now looking to turn away from its reliance on nuclear power and seeks to compensate for the energy lost from hydropower as a result of climate change. In the latest issue of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, published by SAGE, Dominic Notter of Empa discusses how the country aims to address this transition, finding a new supply mix that combines energy conservation, greater efficiencies, alternative energy sources, the "smart grid", and the introduction of new technologies, so that Switzerland can secure its energy independence for the future.
Drone postal deliveries begin in Switzerland Wondering where your package is? Look up! Switzerland's postal service said Tuesday it had begun testing parcel deliveries by unmanned drones, although widespread use of the flying postmen is not likely to kick in for another five years.
Hacker attacks gambling websites, demands Bitcoin ransom A hacker shut down four New Jersey Internet gambling sites for half an hour last week and threatened more cyberattacks over the holiday weekend unless a ransom was paid using the online currency Bitcoin, authorities said Tuesday.
	Microsoft tweaks streaming music plan for Windows 10 Microsoft has rebranded its subscription-based music services as part of a ramped-up effort to compete with the likes of Apple, Google, Spotify and others.
	Tinder to verify dating profiles of celebs Tinder said Tuesday it would verify the profiles of public figures, celebrities and athletes for the smartphone-based dating service.
	Vehicle fuel economy down, emissions up Gas mileage of new vehicles sold in the U.S. slipped last month, according to researchers at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute.
	Cloud-based infrastructure for Internet users with special needs EU researchers are developing a new, broad-ranging, cloud-based infrastructure that makes the Internet more accessible for users with special needs. The new 'ecosystem' enables people previously excluded from ICT to get help using technology and aims to use their feedback to develop new apps and services.
	Biogas to biomethane upgrading by water absorption column at low pressure and temperature Compared to other processes the innovation lies in the operating conditions. Instead of enhancing the solubility of carbon dioxide working with a pressurized system, low absorption temperature is employed. In this configuration, two main advantages can be obtained: there are no duty costs for pressurizing the system and there is no need of cleaning the absorption solvent, since the solubility of carbon dioxide in water at ambient pressure is low and any further treatment of the wastewater can be avoided. The new technology here proposed involves the use of two absorption columns: the first at atmospheric pressure for the removal of the main part of CO2 and the second one, of reduced dimension, for the final purification of biomethane.

Medicine & Health news

	Researcher disputes claim that humans can distinguish one trillion odors An Arizona State University researcher is calling into question recent findings that the human nose is capable of distinguishing at least 1 trillion odors. Rick Gerkin, an assistant research professor with ASU School of Life Sciences, says the data used in a study made public last year does not support this claim.
	The next anti-tuberculosis drug may already be in your local pharmacy Testing thousands of approved drugs, EPFL scientists have identified an unlikely anti-tuberculosis drug: the over-the-counter antacid lansoprazole (Prevacid).
	Study identifies new way to kill the malaria parasite Scientists have discovered new ways in which the malaria parasite survives in the blood stream of its victims, a discovery that could pave the way to new treatments for the disease.
Can four fish oil pills a day keep the doctor away? Fish oil is one of the most popular dietary supplements in the U.S. because of the perceived cardiovascular benefits of the omega-3 it contains. However, scientific findings on its effectiveness have been conflicting. New research in Physiological Reports supports the claims for seniors, reporting that taking omega-3 fish oil supplements every day can improve the cardiovascular health of healthy seniors after 12 weeks of use.
	Deep sea light shines on drug delivery potential A naturally occurring bioluminescent protein found in deep sea shrimp—which helps the crustacean spit a glowing cloud at predators—has been touted as a game-changer in terms of monitoring the way drugs interact with live cells.
Researchers find key mechanism that causes neuropathic pain Scientists at the University of California, Davis, have identified a key mechanism in neuropathic pain. The discovery could eventually benefit millions of patients with chronic pain from trauma, diabetes, shingles, multiple sclerosis or other conditions that cause nerve damage.
	Enriched blood cells preserve cognition in mice with features of Alzheimer's disease Cedars-Sinai researchers have successfully tested two new methods for preserving cognition in laboratory mice that exhibit features of Alzheimer's disease by using white blood cells from bone marrow and a drug for multiple sclerosis to control immune response in the brain.
	Nutritional supplement boosts muscle stamina in animal studies The benefits of exercise are well known, but physical fitness becomes increasingly difficult as people age or develop ailments, creating a downward spiral into poor health. Now researchers at Duke Medicine report there may be a way to improve exercise tolerance and, by extension, its positive effects.
Organ transplant rejection may not be permanent Rejection of transplanted organs in hosts that were previously tolerant may not be permanent, report scientists from the University of Chicago. Using a mouse model of cardiac transplantation, they found that immune tolerance can spontaneously recover after an infection-triggered rejection event, and that hosts can accept subsequent transplants as soon as a week after. This process depends on regulatory T-cells, a component of the immune system that acts as a "brake" for other immune cells. The findings, published online in Nature Communications on July 7, support inducing immune tolerance as a viable strategy to achieve life-long transplant survival.
	Discovery could improve in vitro fertilization success rates for women around the world Scientists at Oregon Health & Science University, Stanford University, University of Valencia and IGENOMIX have discovered that chromosomal abnormalities in human embryos created for in vitro fertilization, or IVF, can be predicted within the first 30 hours of development at the cell-1 stage which results from the union of a female egg and male sperm.
	Drinking alcohol while pregnant is common in UK, Ireland, and Australasia Drinking alcohol while pregnant is common, ranging from 20% to 80% among those questioned in the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, reveals a study of almost 18,000 women published in the online journal BMJ Open.
S100B protein in diagnosing intracranial hemorrhage in some patients with mild head injury Researchers conducted a prospective observational study in elderly patients and adult patients receiving antiplatelet therapy who presented with mild head injury at two trauma hospitals in Vienna: the Trauma Hospital Meidling and the Donauspital. The focus of the study was to see if blood serum levels of S100B protein in these patients could help identify whether their injuries included intracranial bleeding. If there was no indication of intracranial hemorrhage, these patients would not need additional testing or hospitalization. The researchers found that patients whose serum S100B levels were lower than 0.105 micrograms per liter (0.105 µg/L) were very unlikely to have intracranial hemorrhage.
Normal headphone use unlikely to interfere with settings of programmable shunt valves Researchers at Brown University examined three magnetically programmable shunt valves to see if the magnetic field emissions of headphones can cause unintentional changes in shunt valve settings. Based on their findings, the researchers state that it is highly unlikely that commercially available headphones will interfere with programmable shunt valve settings. Full details of this study can be found in "Programmable shunts and headphones: Are they safe together?" by Heather S. Spader, MD, and colleagues, published today online, ahead of print, in the Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics.
	Imaging could improve treatment of people with COPD Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) provide important information on the symptoms and exercise capabilities of people with mild-to-moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a new study published online in the journal Radiology. Researchers said the findings point the way to better treatment for some COPD patients.
	Research encourages the consideration of air pollution when planning housing near transit Policymakers and developers planning high-density housing near public transit with the goal of reducing automobile use and greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming need a clearer understanding of the health risks from air pollution that may be created if that housing is also built near busy roads and freeways, according to new research by Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC) scientists.
	Кesearchers find two biomarkers linked to severe heart disease Insulin resistance affects tens of millions of Americans and is a big risk factor for heart disease. Yet, some people with the condition never develop heart disease, while some experience moderate coronary blockages. Others, though, get severe atherosclerosis - multiple blockages and deterioration of coronary arteries characterized by thick, hard, plaque-ridden arterial walls. Researchers at the UNC School of Medicine created a first-of-its-kind animal model to pinpoint two biomarkers that are elevated in the most severe form of coronary disease.
Simple heart scan may help identify patients at risk for premature death A study in the online edition of Annals of Internal Medicine suggests that coronary artery calcification (CAC) scans could help physicians identify patients at risk for premature death.
	Study explains how dengue virus adapts as it travels, increasing chances for outbreaks A researcher from The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston is an integral member of a collaborative group that is the first to explain the mechanisms that the Dengue virus has developed to optimize its ability to cause outbreaks as it travels across the globe to new places and revisits old ones. An early online version of this paper detailing the findings has recently been published in Science.
Scientists lead consensus guidelines for thyroid cancer molecular tests University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI) scientists recently led a panel of experts in revising national guidelines for thyroid cancer testing to reflect newly available tests that better incorporate personalized medicine into diagnosing the condition.
New Brazil rules seek to cut Cesarean craze New regulations aimed at rolling back Brazil's obsession with Cesarean sections took effect Monday, with the government hoping it can steer the country from its status as a world leader in C-section births.
	Vitamin C related to reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and early death New research from the University of Copenhagen and Herlev and Gentofte Hospital shows that high vitamin C concentrations in the blood from the intake of fruit and vegetables are associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and early death.
	The battle for control of the growing breast milk industry It could trade for 400 times more than the price of crude oil and 2,000 times more than iron ore. If sold off the shelf, it could cost more than 150 times the price of a gallon of cow's milk and 15 times more than coffee.
FDA approves new heart failure pill from Novartis Government regulators have approved a new pill from Novartis to treat heart failure, a deadly chronic disease that affects millions of U.S. patients.
Potential treatment option for children with Ewing's sarcoma A research consortium made up of the Virgen del Rocio hospital in Seville, Sant Joan de Deu and the Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL) in Barcelona, has found a new therapeutic alternative for children who suffer from a malignant pediatric tumor bone and soft tissue called Ewing's sarcoma.
	Transgenic mosquito works to control dengue-carrying mosquitos Releases of the genetically engineered Oxitec mosquito, commonly known as 'Friendly Aedes aegypti', reduced the dengue mosquito population in an area of Juazeiro, Brazil by 95%, well below the modelled threshold for epidemic disease transmission.
Psychiatrist discusses guidelines for treating teens' eating disorders Eating disorders have been described in medical literature since the 1870s, but until now there have been no guidelines that codify the best way to treat adolescents affected by these conditions—only guidelines for adults.
	Marine sponge shows tumour-stunting promise The research, which has been published in the highly-regarded journal Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, suggests that peloruside A—a substance produced by the marine sponge Mycale henscheli, found mostly in Pelorus Sound—has promising tumour-inhibiting properties when compared to other plant and bacterial-based agents currently used in chemotherapy.
	Child bullies most often pick on others for 'being fat' A new multi-national study by the Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity at the University of Connecticut has found that weight-based bullying is viewed as the most common form of bullying among children.
Why can't we stop cholera in Haiti? In early February, when Jenniflore Abelard arrived at her parents' house high in the hills of Port-au-Prince, her father Johnson (names have been changed) was home. He was lying in the yard, under a tree, vomiting. When Jenniflore spoke to him, his responses, between retches, sounded strange: "nasal, like his voice was coming out of his nose". He talked "like a zombie". This is a powerful image to use in Haiti, where voodoo is practised and where the supernatural doesn't seem as far-fetched as it might elsewhere. Her father's eyes were sunk back into his head. She was shocked, but she knew what this was, because she has lived through the past five years in Haiti. She has lived through the time of kolera.
	Discovery of new genomic aberrations of gastric cancer could pave the way for precision medicine Singapore scientists from A*STAR's Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS) and Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), together with colleagues from the National University Health System (NUHS) and Tan Tock Seng Hospital, have discovered a relationship between Asian gastric cancers and the fusion of two genes.
	Study of tobacco company RRPs reveals tax increases applied unequally New Zealand's largest tobacco company is not keeping the recommended retail pricing for its leading budget brand in line with tobacco excise tax increases, according to a new University of Otago study.
	New media helps emergency physicians continue care beyond the ER Yale researchers find a critical mass of patients who see emergency physicians use new media, including cell phones, smart phones, and other devices. Their study confirms that emergency providers can use new media to continue care—via email, text, and apps—after patients leave the ER.
	Suppressing the immune response may lead to more potent vaccines, a study finds Yale researchers uncovered a new role for a type of immune cell, known as regulatory T cells, in promoting long-term immunity. The new insight gets researchers one step closer to developing vaccines that could be more protective against some of the most intractable viral infections, including HIV and flu.
	Policies on children's radio frequency exposure confusing New research suggests guidelines on children's exposure to radio frequency waves from technology are confusing for parents.
Study shows second severe allergic reaction can occur hours after first Parents of kids with severe allergies know how scary a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) is. New research offers clues as to why some kids can have a second, related reaction hours later - and what to do about it.
WHO says too few countries taxing tobacco products enough Taxing cigarettes up to 75 percent of their retail price is among the most effective ways to reduce tobacco use, but too few governments levy high enough taxes, according to a World Health Organization global report released Tuesday.
	Protecting yourself from rare flesh-eating bacteria found on Florida's beaches The Florida Health Department has warned residents and tourists of a rare form of flesh-eating, potentially deadly bacteria that has made its way to Florida beaches. Vibrio vulnificus has already infected eight people this year, killing two.
	Researcher discusses a new study on correlations among medical problems What can big data tell us about the predictability of medical conditions? A new study by MIT researchers published in the journal Scientific Reports digs into this question by looking at anonymous data from over 500,000 patients. Among the findings is that for 43 percent of the patients, the data can help predict which of 1,719 subcategories of diseases are most likely to occur next. The co-authors of the paper are Carlo Ratti, director of MIT's Senseable City Laboratory, and two former computer science researchers at the lab, Dominik Dahlem (who is the lead author) and Diego Maniloff. The data originated with General Electric, which collaborated with Senseable City on a 2011 project on visually plotting health care data. MIT News spoke with Ratti about the new study.
	Infecting healthy adults with hookworm is the next step toward eradicating the infection When Anna Markowitz learned that George Washington University researchers were looking for healthy volunteers to infect with bloodthirsty hookworms, her decision was resolute.
	We all age at a different speeds – and scientists have worked out how to calculate it A study has confirmed what many of us have been saying for years: age is nothing but a number. The researchers developed a method to determine the pace of ageing in individuals by looking at a range of biomarkers – including blood pressure and gum health. The study participants, all aged 38, varied widely in "biological age" and those ageing more quickly also looked older and reported more health problems.
	That neat and tidy map of tastes on the tongue you learned in school is all wrong Everybody has seen the tongue map – that little diagram of the tongue with different sections neatly cordoned off for different taste receptors. Sweet in the front, salty and sour on the sides and bitter at the back.
Cancer drug 49 times more potent than Cisplatin Tests have shown that a new cancer drug, FY26, is 49 times more potent than the clinically used treatment Cisplatin.
Aspirin may delay growth of asbestos-related cancer Aspirin may inhibit the growth of mesothelioma, an aggressive and deadly asbestos-related cancer, University of Hawai'i Cancer Center researchers have found.
	A key role for CEP63 in brain development and fertility discovered Today in Nature Communications, scientists at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona) provide molecular details about Seckel Syndrome, a rare disease that causes microcephaly, or small brain, and growth delays. A joint study conducted by Travis Stracker and Jens Lüders indicates that the protein CEP63 plays a key role during brain development as it is involved in the correct division of stem cells in this organ. Furthermore, the researchers have discovered that CEP63 is associated with sperm production—an unknown function until now.
	Predicting happiness of couples raising children with autism Parenting can be stressful and parenting children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often means facing more challenges than those experienced by parents of typically developing children. The pressure can take its toll on the parents' relationship. To understand what helps moms and dads of children with ASD strengthen their bond, researchers at the University of Miami (UM) are examining the individual factors that predict relationship satisfaction for these couples.
Serious adverse events rare in healthy volunteers participating in Phase I drug trials Many people believe that phase I trials with healthy volunteers are very risky and because they pose risks with no benefits, unethical. But how risky are such trials? Less than 1% of 11,000 healthy volunteers who participated in 394 phase I trials for new drugs experienced serious complications, according to a new meta-analysis of participants in non-cancer, phase I medication trials. In addition, none of the volunteers died or suffered persistent disabilities linked to the experimental drugs. In the largest study of its kind, researchers found only 34 (0.31%) healthy volunteers with serious adverse events, which are defined by the FDA as those that result in death; are life-threatening; require or prolong in-patient hospitalization; or cause a disability, congenital anomaly or birth defect. And half of these serious adverse events, such as Dengue fever or those affecting the volunteers taking a placebo, were not linked to the pha! se I experimental drugs or study procedures. Despite the fact that more than 100,000 healthy people annually participate in non-oncology phase I studies worldwide, there is little systematic research quantifying their risks. However, this study, led by researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and published in The BMJ, found the risks to be very low.
	Combination of diabetes and heart disease substantially reduces life expectancy Life expectancy for people with a history of both cardiovascular disease and diabetes is substantially lower than for people with just one condition or no disease, a new study harnessing the power of 'big data' has concluded.
	Memory and thinking ability keep getting worse for years after a stroke, new study finds A stroke happens in an instant. And many who survive one report that their brain never works like it once did. But new research shows that these problems with memory and thinking ability keep getting worse for years afterward - and happen faster than normal brain aging.
Benefit of extending anticoagulation therapy lost after discontinuation of therapy Among patients with a first episode of pulmonary embolism (the obstruction of the pulmonary artery or a branch of it leading to the lungs by a blood clot) who received 6 months of anticoagulant treatment, an additional 18 months of treatment with warfarin reduced the risk of additional blood clots and major bleeding, however, the benefit was not maintained after discontinuation of anticoagulation therapy, according to a study in the July 7 issue of JAMA.
	Findings suggest improvement in management of localized prostate cancer After years of overtreatment for patients with low-risk prostate cancer, rates of active surveillance/ watchful waiting increased sharply in 2010 through 2013, and high-risk disease was more often treated appropriately with potentially curative local treatment rather than androgen deprivation alone, according to a study in the July 7 issue of JAMA.
Association between genetic condition, hormonal factors, and risk of endometrial cancer For women with Lynch syndrome, an association was found between the risk of endometrial cancer and the age of first menstrual cycle, having given birth, and hormonal contraceptive use, according to a study in the July 7 issue of JAMA. Lynch syndrome is a genetic condition that increases the risk for various cancers.
Poor sanitation practices in pregnant women linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes in India Poor sanitation practices, such as open defecation, in pregnant women are linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes in two rural areas of Odisha state, India, according to a study published by Bijaya K Padhi from the Asian Institute of Public Health, Bhubaneswar, and colleagues in this week's PLOS Medicine.
Affordable Care Act results in dramatic drop in out-of-pocket prices for prescription contraceptives Average out-of-pocket spending for oral contraceptive pills and the intrauterine device (IUD), the two most common forms of contraception for women, has decreased significantly since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) took effect. Using a prescription claims database from a large national insurer, researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania found that the average out-of-pocket expense for a prescription for the pill fell from $32.74 in the first six months of 2012 to $20.37 in the first six months of 2013 (a decline of 38 percent), and out-of-pocket expenses for an IUD insertion fell from $262.38 to $84.30 (a decline of 68 percent).
Medicaid: No longer the welfare medicine afterthought July 30, 2015 marks the 50th Anniversary of Medicaid. Signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson, the program transformed the lives of millions of Americans who previously were unable to afford healthcare coverage. In the not-too-distant future, Medicaid will cover more than 25 percent of the population and 40 percent of all children.
	High levels of dopamine may lead to increased risk-taking Boosting levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine can lead to increased risk-taking, according to research published July 8 in the Journal of Neuroscience. Dopamine is involved in reward learning, and previous research has linked dopamine drugs such as L-DOPA with compulsive gambling problems in people with Parkinson's disease. This study, led by Robb Rutledge at University College London, found that increasing dopamine levels in healthy adults led participants to choose more risky options in a gambling task.
	Higher vitamin D doses may be needed to restore healthy levels in overweight blacks The current recommended minimum daily dose of vitamin D is not sufficient to restore healthy vitamin D levels in overweight or obese blacks, researchers report.
	Childhood stress fuels weight gain in women When it comes to weight gain for women, childhood stress appears to be a bigger culprit than stress during adulthood, finds a national study led by a Michigan State University sociologist.
UBC team tracks measles cases introduced to B.C. during the 2010 Games The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games brought more than just athletes to B.C. It also left the province with a bad case of the measles.
Investigators develop activated T cell therapy for advanced melanoma T cells from patients with melanoma can trigger a protective immune response against the disease according to a new study out of University Hospitals Case Medical Center Seidman Cancer Center and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.
	Age-related self-destruction of cells makes kidney prone to injury As advances in medicine allow individuals to live longer, people are facing unique age-related health challenges. As they age, organs such as the kidneys become more susceptible to injury, and their ability to self-repair is decreased. Researchers from the University of Missouri have found a cellular signal that causes kidney cells to die, making the kidneys prone to injury. This finding could lead to improved kidney function in the elderly.
	Pupil response predicts depression risk in kids How much a child's pupil dilates in response to seeing an emotional image can predict his or her risk of depression over the next two years, according to new research from Binghamton University.
	Study identifies brain abnormalities in people with schizophrenia Structural brain abnormalities in patients with schizophrenia, providing insight into how the condition may develop and respond to treatment, have been identified in an internationally collaborative study led by a Georgia State University scientist.
	Marijuana users substitute alcohol at 21 A recent study looked at marijuana and alcohol use in people between the ages of 18 and 24. It's probably not surprising that the results show a drastic increase in alcohol consumption in people just over 21; after all, that's the minimum legal age to drink. What University of Illinois economist Ben Crost found remarkable is that, at the same age, there was an equally dramatic drop in marijuana use.
Taking the pain out of office work Office work will become much less of a pain in the neck if Julie Côté has her way.
	Study reveals brain network responsible for cognitive changes in multiple sclerosis An estimated 2.3 million individuals are living with multiple sclerosis (MS) worldwide. Approximately half of all individuals with MS experience changes in cognition such as impaired concentration, attention, memory, and judgment. The underlying brain basis for these deleterious effects has been largely elusive. New findings published yesterday in Neuropsychology reveal that decreased connectivity between network-specific brain regions are to blame for the central deficit common to the various cognitive changes associated with MS, slowed cognitive speed.
Report: Number of US heroin users rose 300,000 over a decade The number of U.S. heroin users has grown by nearly 300,000 over a decade, with the bulk of the increase among whites, according to a new government report.
Kids' brain responses to food depend on their body composition Research using brain imaging technology has revealed a brain response pattern in children that might represent a step along the path to childhood obesity. The study, conducted by Nicole Fearnbach, a graduate student in Penn State University's Department of Nutritional Sciences, scanned children's brain activity while they viewed pictures of high- and low-calorie foods, and found that both lean body mass and body fat are linked to how kids' brains respond to food. Their research is to be presented here this week at the Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior (SSIB), the foremost society for research into all aspects of eating and drinking behavior.
	Cutting health care costs isn't easy Convincing the nation's most vulnerable citizens to avoid costly emergency department visits is proving harder than expected. A new study from the University of Iowa found improving access to affordable primary care reduced preventable hospital stays for black and Hispanics who receive both Medicare and Medicaid but failed to reduce the number of trips to the emergency department.
Study finds that high fat diet changes gut microbe populations Have you ever wondered why eating one good-tasting French fry may lead you to eat the whole batch and leave you wanting more? According to a new study with rats, that high-fat indulgence literally changes the populations of bacteria residing inside the gut and also alters the signaling to the brain. The result? The brain no longer senses signals for fullness, which can cause overeating—a leading cause of obesity.
Stress-coping strategy and mom's stress levels during pregnancy Johns Hopkins researchers have found that offspring born to mother rats stressed during pregnancy lost weight faster and failed to turn on appropriate brain hunger signals in response to exercise and food restriction, compared to offspring from non-stressed mothers. The research reveals a specific combination of stress, personality, and environmental factors that may contribute to anorexic behaviors. The findings will be presented this week at the Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior (SSIB), the society for research into all aspects of eating and drinking behavior.
Heightened ability to imagine odors linked to higher body weight Researchers at The John B. Pierce Laboratory and the Yale School of Medicine have revealed that the ability to vividly imagine the smell of popcorn, freshly baked cookies and even non-food odors is greater in obese adults. Their research is to be presented this week at the Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior (SSIB), the foremost society for research into all aspects of eating and drinking behavior.
Mother's diet affects offspring alcohol and nicotine use in lab animal study Researchers at The Rockefeller University have found in a study with rats that a mother's consumption of a fat-rich diet during pregnancy increases her offspring's risk of a combined alcohol and nicotine abuse in adolescence. The study performed by Olga Karatayev in the Neurobiology Laboratory of Dr. Sarah Leibowitz at Rockefeller provides insight into early life factors that contribute to substance abuse. The results are to be presented this week at the Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior (SSIB), the foremost society for research into all aspects of eating and drinking behavior.
Five-year study sheds light on hospice care in assisted living facilities versus in the home Researchers have found several key differences among people who receive hospice care—which maintains or improves the quality of life for someone whose condition is unlikely to be cured—in assisted-living facilities (ALFs) compared with people who receive hospice care at home.
	Simply observing men with very low- and low-risk prostate cancer very effective and underused Monitoring men with very low- and low-risk prostate cancers using watchful waiting or active surveillance, called expectant management, is a useful approach for a large number of men with localized tumors and could spare them the debilitating side effects of aggressive treatments that are too often unnecessarily used in this patient population, a UCLA review of common practices in prostate cancer has found.
Illicit drug use may affect sexual function in men In a study of 1159 males who illicitly used amphetamines, half of participants said drug use had no impact on their sexual functions, while the other half reported impacts such as reduced erectile rigidity and sexual satisfaction, enhanced orgasmic intensity, and delayed ejaculation.
	What's the best walking aid for patients with COPD? In a first-of-its-kind study, researchers have investigated the impact of different walking aids on patients with chronic obstructive disease (COPD).
Dental pulp cell transplants help regenerate peripheral nerves Peripheral nerve injuries often are caused by trauma or surgical complications and can result in considerable disabilities. Regeneration of peripheral nerves can be accomplished effectively using autologous (self-donated) nerve grafts, but that procedure may sacrifice a functional nerve and cause loss of sensation in another part of the patient's body.
	Societal challenges and new treatments for Ebola virus disease Since Ebola was first described in 1976, there have been several outbreaks, but all have been self-limiting. In a new Journal of Internal Medicine review, Dr. Ali Mirazimi of the Karolinska Institutet considers why the latest outbreak occurred and discusses the factors that contributed to making it the largest, most sustained, and most widespread outbreak of Ebola.
Non-invasive technique may help detect skin and other cancers Researchers have developed a non-invasive technique that allows clinicians to accurately detect various forms of skin cancer.
Religious groups could expedite response to biggest global health challenges of 21st century Faith-based organisations [1] are crucial in achieving the promise of universal health coverage—an adequate standard of health care for all people—especially for poor and marginalised groups, according to a new three-part Series on faith-based health care, published in The Lancet. The Series argues that building on the extensive experience, strengths, and capacities of faith-based organisations (eg, geographical coverage, influence, and infrastructure) offers a unique opportunity to improve health outcomes.
Teva to lift bid for Mylan: report Israeli pharmaceutical giant Teva plans to increase its bid for rival Mylan and could announce the move as soon as this week, according to a US media report Monday.
UN: Goals helped lift one billion people from extreme poverty A 15-year effort to implement eight goals adopted by world leaders at the start of the new millennium has helped lift more than one billion people out of extreme poverty, enabled more girls to go to school than ever before, and brought unprecedented results in fighting diseases such as HIV/AIDS, the U.N. chief said Monday.
	California right-to-die bill struggling ahead of key vote A bill that would allow California physicians to help terminally ill patients end their lives is struggling to muster enough support ahead of a legislative vote Tuesday.
Five tips for bringing your elderly loved one to the emergency department Getting old is tough. Taking care of an aging loved one is tough, too. And the difficulties of navigating health-care systems do not help. Sadly, many older adults are chronically ill and frail, resulting in many trips to the doctor for gradually worsening medical conditions. It can be difficult to get appointments with your primary care doctor, doctor's assistant or nurse practitioner on short notice, so patients, and particularly older adults, often end up repeatedly needing care in Emergency Departments (ED). Though the doctors and nurses working in EDs are well trained, hard working, and leaders in critical care, EDs are usually not well designed for frail older adults and the doctors in the ED are unlikely to know your loved one's medical history. However, there are some important steps you can take to help the older adult you are caring for get the care they need and deserve.
70% of South African nurses moonlight – study Between 2009 and 2010, the South African government spent over US$212.6million (about R1.49 billion) hiring nurses for the public health sector from nursing agencies.
	World-first in showing clinical-quality Proton CT for treatment of cancer An international team of researchers will for the first time be able to demonstrate clinical-quality proton CT to improve proton therapy in the treatment of cancer – moving a step closer to this improved treatment method being used to help those suffering with certain forms of cancer, particularly for children and young people.
WHO needs urgent change to tackle health crises: experts The World Health Organization (WHO) is unprepared to deal with crises like the Ebola outbreak and requires fundamental change, supported by an increase in funding, experts warned Tuesday.
Nursing home care for minorities improves A new study of nursing homes has found that, while disparities continue to exist, the quality of care in homes with higher concentrations of racial and ethnic minority residents has improved and that this progress appears to be linked to increases in Medicaid payments.
	Can pregnancy complications predict future cardiovascular disease risk? According to a new study, women can accurately recall key pregnancy-related information at least 4 years later that could have important implications for their future risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). A simple and brief questionnaire developed and validated by researchers from Washington University School of Medicine (St. Louis, MO), Harvard School of Public Health, and Brigham and Women's Hospital (Boston, MA) is a valuable new screening tool described in an article in Journal of Women's Health.
As Medicaid turns 50, Hastings Center scholar examines payment reforms Several recent U.S. health policies, including the Affordable Care Act, provide incentives for transforming the delivery of health care to improve its value for dollar. Michael K. Gusmano, a Hastings Center scholar, and Frank J. Thompson, a distinguished professor at Rutgers University, critically examine efforts to shape the delivery of Medicaid through demonstration projects called Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment Initiatives (DSRIP). Despite political enthusiasm for DSRIP, they conclude in an article in Health Affairs that the evidence supporting its effectiveness is mixed.
Extended-field IMRT does not increase duodenal toxicity risk A study of women with cervical or endometrial cancer who require treatment to the para-aortic (PA) lymph nodes can safely receive extended-field intensity modulated radiation therapy (EF-IMRT) without increased risk of duodenal toxicity, according to a study published in the July-August 2015 issue of Practical Radiation Oncology (PRO), the American Society for Radiation Oncology's (ASTRO's) journal focused on the clinical practice of radiation oncology.
	Successful model for statewide collaborative initiative to reduce avoidable hospital readmissions A statewide effort led by key stakeholders in South Carolina successfully organized and implemented an evidence-based initiative aimed at improving the quality of healthcare transitions after hospital discharge to prevent avoidable readmissions. This promising model for engaging healthcare partners statewide and accelerating adoption of care transitions strategies is described in an article in Population Health Management.
Landmark ruling in Argentine death-with-dignity case Relatives of an Argentine man who has been in a vegetative state for over 20 years can disconnect him from life support, the Supreme Court said Tuesday in a landmark ruling that divided the country.
	California right-to-die bill stalls with Catholics opposed In a blow to the right-to-die movement, California lawmakers on Tuesday dropped one of the most promising legislative efforts in the U.S. to allow terminally ill patients to legally end their lives.
USDA prepares for possible return of bird flu this fall A top veterinary official with the U.S. Department of Agriculture says more money, surveillance and farm security is needed to fight off a possible return of bird flu this fall.

Biology news

	The role of species competition in biodiversity (Phys.org)—Over long spans, biodiversity is a fluid and shifting balance of species and influences. Species diversification occurs in response to a host of complex factors, both biotic and abiotic, and understanding them is a major challenge of evolutionary biology.
	Nature, nurture, or physics? Researchers answer question about nematode behavior Nature versus nurture is an age-old question in biology, centering on whether a given trait is determined by an organism's genes or by its environment. Most times the answer is "both," but research at the University of Pennsylvania has found one trait in particular that is not easily described by either.
	Sculpting a cell's backside: New protein found to help cells move from behind When Greek mythology and cell biology meet, you get the protein Callipygian, recently discovered and named by researchers at The Johns Hopkins University for its role in determining which area of a cell becomes the back as it begins to move.
	Researchers uncover new clues to help explain kin discrimination (Phys.org)—A team of researchers with affiliations to institutions in the U.S., Germany and Switzerland has taken another step towards understanding kin discrimination—at least as it applies to a type of bacteria. In their paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the group describes experiments they conducted with Myxococcus xanthus, a type of bacteria, and what they found in doing so.
Biggest beast in big data forest? One field's astonishing growth is 'genomical' Who's about to become the biggest beast in the Big Data forest? A group of math and computing experts have arrived at what they say is a clear answer. It's not You Tube or Twitter, two social media sites that gobble up awesome quantities of bandwidth and generate hard-to-grasp numbers of electronic bytes every day. And it's not astronomy or particle physics, two of the highest-tech sciences that have long been at the leading edge of data generation and processing.
	Temperature a dominant influence on bird diversity loss in Mexico A wide-ranging study of gains and losses of populations of bird species across Mexico in the 20th century shows shifts in temperature due to global climate change are the primary environmental influence on the distributions of bird species.
	New research uncovers brain circuit in fruit fly that detects anti-aphrodisiac New research, published today in eLife, identified the neural circuit in the brain of the fruitfly (Drosophila melanogaster) that is responsible for detecting a taste pheromone, which controls the decision of male flies to mate with females.
	Researchers seek water test for invasive species detection Detecting invasive lake and river species using just a water sample would be a dream come true for wildlife managers and regulators in the state. And University of Maine researchers may soon make this an inexpensive reality.
	How does RNA-induced silencing complex accurately cleave and release target RNAs? University of Tokyo and Kyoto University researchers have revealed the molecular mechanism of RNA interference (RNAi), the phenomenon by which the synthesis of a specific protein is inhibited, by real time observation of target RNA cleavage at the single-molecule level.
	Understanding mechanism of Cryptosporidium infection supports drug development Researchers at the University of Tokyo and Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine have demonstrated that heparin, a type of sulfated polysaccharide, inhibits infection with Cryptosporidium parvum, a protozoan that causes diarrhea in humans and other mammals. This will facilitate the development of anti-cryptosporidial agents.
	Mechanism of biological multi-fuel engine University of Tokyo researchers have constructed the atomic model structure of the protein complex that corresponds to the stator (stationary part of a motor that surrounds the rotating part of a motor) of the E. coli flagellar motor for the first time by molecular simulation based on previously published experimental data, and elucidated the mechanism by which ions, including hydrogen ions (protons), are transferred through the stator.
	Together bacteria invade antibiotic landscapes Antibiotics kill bacteria – or at least they are supposed to, although unfortunately this does not always result in a cure. Scientists at TU Delft's Kavli Institute of Nanoscience have discovered that bacteria can colonise environments in which there are deadly quantities of antibiotics, without becoming genetically resistant. In order to achieve this, the bacteria need to work together in large groups, as individually they would not stand a chance. The research will help scientists to improve their understanding of how bacteria survive when there are local variations in antibiotic concentrations – a situation which occurs in your body when you take an antibiotic tablet. These new insights will enable scientists to understand why antibiotics sometimes fail, and provide cues to improve their effectiveness.
	Why do strawberries taste so good? Each year, spectators at the Wimbledon tennis tournament get through a whopping 30 tons of strawberries in the course of a summer fortnight. It is no wonder that the association between Wimbledon and strawberries is such a marketing triumph. But why do we fall for it?
	A checkpoint enzyme for flawless cell division The error-free distribution of genetic material during cell division is important for preventing the development of tumor cells. Prof. Erich Nigg's research group at the Biozentrum, University of Basel, has uncovered a new important function of the human enzyme Plk1. It plays a significant role in monitoring chromosome segregation. The results published in the journal Cell Reports may provide important clues for the treatment of cancer.
	Researchers discover strong break on cell division The protein complex SWI/SNF that loosens tightly wrapped up DNA is also a strong inhibitor of cell division, at the time that cells take on specialized functions. Professor Sander van den Heuvel and PhD researcher Suzan Ruijtenberg (both from Utrecht University) discovered this important inhibitor function. How exactly cell division stops at the right time is not yet known in detail, but unhindered continuation of cell division is a major step to cancer formation. In one in five human tumours SWI/SNF is defective. This might play a role in the uninhibited division of tumour cells. The leading journal Cell published the discovery online on July 2. NWO funded this research through its Open Programme, which enables researchers to develop new lines of research based on their own insights.
	C. difficile needs iron, but too much is hazardous Those bacteria that require iron walk a tightrope. Iron is essential for their growth, but too much iron can damage DNA and enzymes through oxidation. Therefore, bacteria have machinery to maintain their intracellular iron within a range that is healthy for them. Now Theresa D. Ho, PhD, and Craig D. Ellermeier, PhD shed new light on how the pathogen, Clostridium difficile, which is the most common cause of hospital-acquired infectious diarrhea, regulates iron. The research is published online ahead of print July 6 in the Journal of Bacteriology, a publication of the American Society for Microbiology.
	Researchers remind policy makers that fish don't obey political boundaries Fish don't care where political boundaries exist. That's why countries must work together on environmental management practices, according to Florida State University researchers.
Mitochondrial metagenomics: How '-omics' is saving wild bees Mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) database demonstrated its great value on detecting wild bees in UK farms via mitochondrial metagenomics pipeline, a new approach developed by scientists from the China National Genebank (CNGB), BGI-Shenzhen.
	Historic shark census catches predators on camera Researchers are embarking on the largest-ever attempt to survey the world's shark populations.
	Baits, underwater cameras to help count world's sharks Using bait attached to underwater cameras at 400 reefs worldwide, scientists are embarking on their first-ever attempt to count the world's sharks, researchers said Tuesday.
	Scientists develop free, online genetic research tool Technology rapidly is advancing the study of genetics and the search for causes of major diseases. Analysis of genomic sequences that once took days or months now can be performed in a matter of hours. Yet, for most genetic scientists, the lack of access to computer servers and programs capable of quickly handling vast amounts of data can hinder genetic advancements. Now, a group of scientists at the University of Missouri has introduced a game changer in the world of biological research. The online, free service, RNAMiner, has been developed to handle large datasets which could lead to faster results in the study of plant and animal genomics.
Cactus scientists offer insights to solve future global agricultural challenges Researchers have provided a new roadmap for tackling future agricultural production issues by using solutions that involve crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM), a specialized type of photosynthesis that enhances the efficiency by which plants use water.
Investigators insert large DNA sequence into mammalian cells For the first time, researchers have used a simplified technique derived from a defense mechanism evolved by bacteria and other single-celled organisms to successfully insert a large DNA sequence into a predetermined genomic site in mammalian cells.
Lush conditions fuel Colorado increase in rabbit fever Fed by unusually lush vegetation, rabbits have been breeding like rabbits around Colorado, increasing the risk for what normally is a relatively rare bacterial disease in the state.
Thousands of birds abandon eggs, nests on Florida island The din created by thousands of nesting birds is usually the first thing you notice about Seahorse Key, a 150-acre mangrove-covered dune off Florida's Gulf Coast.
	Fruit-derived antibacterial with potential application in the food industry Looking for alternatives that promote health through the food and medical industry, a group of experts in the south of Mexico conducted a study of the pulp of the fruit Bromelia pinguin L. and found that this native plant has high antibacterial potential.

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