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Dear Reader ,

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

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Fastest-ever flexible diode provides 'last missing piece' needed to realize bendable phones
- The sleep-deprived brain can mistake friends for foes
- New antibody treats traumatic brain injury and prevents long-term neurodegeneration
- Can scientists hack photosynthesis to feed the world as population soars?
- Solving mysteries of conductivity in polymers
- For faster, larger graphene add a liquid layer
- 'White graphene' structures can take the heat
- 50 million year old sperm cells found in fossilized cocoon
- Jupiter twin discovered around solar twin
- Researchers successfully combine two different materials to create new hyper-efficient light-emitting crystal
- Researchers find gene associated with thinking skills
- Study links success in adulthood to childhood psychiatric health
- Fruitfly sperm cells reveal intricate coordination in stem cell replication
- Your phone knows if you're depressed
- Altruism is simpler than we thought, brain study shows

Astronomy & Space news

	Jupiter twin discovered around solar twin Astronomers have used the ESO 3.6-metre telescope to identify a planet just like Jupiter orbiting at the same distance from a Sun-like star, HIP 11915. According to current theories, the formation of Jupiter-mass planets plays an important role in shaping the architecture of planetary systems. The existence of a Jupiter-mass planet in a Jupiter-like orbit around a Sun-like star opens the possibility that the system of planets may be similar to our own Solar System.
	US spacecraft survives close encounter with Pluto An unmanned NASA spacecraft whizzed by Pluto, beaming to scientists a message that it survived its historic encounter before sending back the closest look ever of the distant dwarf planet.
	Pluto, Charon could spout icy plumes When NASA's New Horizons mission flies past Pluto on July 14, it may see signs of plumes on the dwarf planet or its moon, Charon, or at least evidence of their past existence. A new study of similar objects in the outer reaches of the solar system suggests that both bodies have the potential to support eruptions of icy material.
	US spacecraft sending back data for Pluto close-up Scientists are receiving data that will offer the closest look ever of Pluto later Wednesday, after the unmanned NASA spacecraft whizzed by the distant dwarf planet.
	Old astronomic riddle on the way to be solved Scientists at the University of Basel were able to identify for the first time a molecule responsible for the absorption of starlight in space: the positively charged buckminsterfullerene. Their results have been published in the current issue of Nature.
	Pluto's close-ups to offer high-resolution views Pluto's surface has long been a blur to sky watchers on Earth, but a NASA spacecraft on Wednesday should provide the first high-resolution images of the distant dwarf planet after a historic flyby mission.
	New Horizons mission co-investigator on craft's closest view of Pluto On Jan. 19, 2006, NASA launched a space probe the size of a golf cart on a mission to explore the farthest reaches of the solar system; its destination was the Kuiper Belt, a frigid region beyond the planets, populated with icy bodies, the largest of which is Pluto. Traveling faster than any probe before it, the New Horizons spacecraft glanced past Jupiter in 2007, using the massive planet's gravity to slingshot the probe toward Pluto. Today, after a nine-and-a-half-year journey, New Horizons made its closest approach to the dwarf planet, passing within 7,767 miles—about the distance from Boston to Johannesburg. The probe's images of Pluto, taken at a resolution that surpasses that of the Hubble Space Telescope, reveal an icy, and surprisingly complex, world.
	Astrophysicist discusses Pluto flyby findings NASA's New Horizons spacecraft reached its closest approach to Pluto on Tuesday, swooping to within 7,800 miles of the dwarf planet out beyond Neptune, snapping pictures and gathering data.
	Mariner 4 to Mars, 50 years later July 14 marks 50 years of visual reconnaissance of the solar system by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), beginning with Mariner 4's flyby of Mars in 1965.
	Rosetta takes a glance at Pluto On Sunday, 12 July 2015, OSIRIS, the scientific imaging system on board ESA's spacecraft Rosetta, took a glance towards the rim of our Solar System. Instead of studying comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko as in the past 15 months, the instrument took a peek at Pluto. NASA's space probe New Horizons passes by the distant dwarf planet today. An exposure time of more than three hours and sophisticated image processing were necessary to detect Pluto in the OSIRIS images taken from a distance of more than five billion kilometers. Pluto is thus the most distant body within the Solar System that Rosetta has ever looked at.
	Beyond Pluto—New Horizons' mission is not over yet When New Horizons phoned home this morning (Australian time) after its close encounter with Pluto, there was jubilation and excitement.
	Fly-by missions—what is the point when we have the technology to go into orbit? New Horizons' fly-by of Pluto and its moons is the latest in a historic string of missions to objects in the solar system. But given that a fly-by lasts for just a short time, how much can we really get out of it? There's no doubt that the mission will yield a great deal of interesting data, but surely more would be gained if the spacecraft could go into orbit for a number of days or actually land on the surface and take physical samples.
	From comets to planets near and far, space probes reveal the universe If space is humankind's ultimate challenge, then the first step starts close to home – we have still to explore much of our solar system that spans across enormous distances, never mind those galaxies and stars more distant still.
	Space crew praises US-Russian 'handshake in space' 40 years on Two Russians and an American in orbit commemorated Wednesday the 40th anniversary of the Apollo-Soyuz mission, when a "handshake in space" brought the two Cold War rivals closer together.
Air Force launches GPS satellite on Atlas V rocket The Air Force has a new advanced GPS satellite in orbit.
Research into the health impacts of human spaceflight Pioneering research from the University of Southampton into the health impacts of spaceflight has been identified as a possible experiment to be conducted by British astronaut Tim Peake on his maiden voyage to the International Space Station (ISS) later this year.

Technology news

	From power grids to heartbeat: Using mathematics to restore rhythm When a rhythm stalls, the effect can be fatal - in a power grid it can mean a blackout, and in the human heart even death. An international team of scientists has now developed a new approach for revoking these undesired quenching states. They use an advanced mathematical methodology, building on complex networks analysis, and demonstrate it in experiments with chemical reactions.
	Pressure-aware tech aims for wake-up safety via steering wheel Any driver operating a steering wheel all alone who has gone into a "microsleep" and survived to tell the story knows how frightening that can be.
	Eddystone: Cross-platform beacon format gets Google launch Google is introducing the Eddystone beacon format. On Tuesday Google launched a beacon technology called Eddystone along with APIs. Together, they will make it easier for devices in close proximity to communicate. Numerous sites including 9to5Google sat up and took notice of information in the posting headlined "Lighting the way with BLE beacons" on the official Google Developers Blog where Chandu Thota, engineering director, and Matthew Kulick, product manager, wrote about Google's latest developments with Eddystone.
	Robots do check-in and check-out at cost-cutting Japan hotel From the receptionist that does the check-in and check-out to the porter that's an automated trolley taking luggage up to the room, this hotel in southwestern Japan, aptly called Weird Hotel, is "manned" almost totally by robots to save labor costs.
	Are fuel cells environmentally friendly? Not always Fuel cells are regarded as the technology of the future for both cars and household heating systems. As a result, they have a key role to play in the switch to renewable energies. But are fuel cells always more environmentally friendly? An international team of scientists headed by Empa performed a series of calculations and reached a conclusion: it depends on the fuel.
Fingerprint scanner tested on foreigners leaving Atlanta Federal authorities are testing a mobile device to scan fingerprints from a sample of foreign air travelers as they depart from the United States through Atlanta's airport.
	Drones and phones to tackle Indonesian holiday road chaos From drones to smartphone apps, Indonesia is harnessing technology to tackle traffic chaos during the annual mass exodus before the Muslim Eid holiday, when the potholed roads of overpopulated Java become clogged with millions of slow-moving cars and crashes are frequent.
Dutch hi-tech group ASML post small Q2 income dip Dutch company ASML, which makes computer chip-making systems and is seen as a global hi-tech bellwether, announced an 8.1 percent second quarter dip in net income Wednesday, but noted it was on track for the rest of the year.
	Self-assembled monomolecular organic films to seal ultra-porous low-k materials Nano-electronics research center imec announced today at SEMICON West that it has demonstrated concept and feasibility for pore-sealing low-k dielectrics in advanced interconnects. The method, based on the self-assembly of an organic monolayer, paves the way to scaling interconnects beyond N5.
	Solar plane suspends journey in Hawaii after battery damage A team trying to fly a solar-powered plane around the world said Wednesday it is suspending the journey in Hawaii after the plane suffered battery damage during its record-breaking flight to the islands.
	Creating the perfect collision A good car collision should look awful. The more deformed the bumper and front end of the car are, the better. It means that these components have absorbed all of the shock from the collision, leaving the passengers inside unscathed. Damage to the exterior doesn't matter as long as the people inside the car are protected.
	Engineering students add high-tech function to low-tech orthopedic boot If you've ever sprained an ankle or had a stress fracture in your foot or lower leg, you've probably worn an orthopedic walking boot.
	Feds say they have shut down Darkode malware marketplace Investigators shut down an online marketplace where cybercriminals bought and sold hacked databases, malicious software and other products that could cripple or steal information from computer systems, the Justice Department announced Wednesday.
	Tech investors - dance or gird for 'when music stops'? Venture capital investors are still keen on the frothy, high-growth opportunities in technology even though some are tempering their optimism over fears of a bubble.
	Apple's iPod Touch update brings faster chip, better cameras Apple is updating its iPod Touch music player for the first time in nearly three years, as the company seeks to make music a central part of its devices once again.
	In search of a healthy and energy efficient building Imagine if, in an effort to clean the air more efficiently, you were involuntarily introducing chemicals more dangerous than the ones you were trying to scrub. Concordia University researchers have found that this exact situation is happening with a type of air filter called photocatalytic oxidation (PCO), a product already on the market. The chemical by-product? Formaldehyde, a known human carcinogen.
	EU lawmakers agree air passenger data collection European lawmakers approved Wednesday plans to collect EU passenger data, a measure sought by the United States after years of controversy over how to protect personal information while fighting terrorism and serious crime.
Toyota recalls 625,000 hybrids worldwide Toyota is recalling 625,000 Prius hybrid vehicles worldwide because they can stall without warning.
ACLU asks appeals court to halt NSA phone record collection Civil liberties groups asked a federal appeals court Tuesday to again strike down as unconstitutional a portion of a law used by the government to justify the collection and storage of Americans' phone records.
New detection sensors can help railways cope with EM attacks Eleven years ago the Madrid train bombings proved how much European railway security still needed to be improved. But now that rail equipment—like in most other industries—is increasingly standardised and connected, another, more insidious type of offensive has become likely: electromagnetic (EM) attacks. An EU-funded project has developed detection technologies that can help the sector face this new threat.
	High-accuracy narrow-pitch bonding of 3D ICs using thermocompression Today, at SEMICON WEST 2015 (San Francisco), world-leading nano-electronics research center imec and Besi, a global equipment supplier for the semiconductor and electronics industries announced that they have jointly developed an automated thermocompression solution for narrow-pitch die-to-wafer bonding, a method by which singulated dies are stacked onto bottom dies which are still part of a fully intact 300mm wafer. The solution features high accuracy and high throughput, paving the way to a manufacturable 2.5D, 3D, and 2.5D/3D hybrid technology.
Obama to announce high-speed Internet help for homes President Barack Obama set a goal of bringing high-speed Internet to most schools by 2017. Now he's promoting a new program to help close the digital divide even further by bringing that faster Internet to more people, particularly students who live in public and assisted housing.

Medicine & Health news

	The sleep-deprived brain can mistake friends for foes If you can't tell a smile from a scowl, you're probably not getting enough sleep.
	New antibody treats traumatic brain injury and prevents long-term neurodegeneration New research led by investigators at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) provides the first direct evidence linking traumatic brain injury to Alzheimer's disease and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)—and offers the potential for early intervention to prevent the development of these debilitating neurodegenerative diseases. TBI can result from repetitive contact sport injuries or from exposure to military blasts, and is one of the most significant risk factors for both Alzheimer's disease and CTE.
	Gene therapy gives long-term protection to photoreceptor cells A collaboration between scientists in the UK and the USA has shown that gene therapy can give life-long protection to the light-sensitive photoreceptor cells responsible for colour vision in a mouse model of the most common inherited eye disorder.
	Your phone knows if you're depressed You can fake a smile, but your phone knows the truth. Depression can be detected from your smartphone sensor data by tracking the number of minutes you use the phone and your daily geographical locations, reports a small Northwestern Medicine study.
	Study links success in adulthood to childhood psychiatric health Children with even mild or passing bouts of depression, anxiety and/or behavioral issues were more inclined to have serious problems that complicated their ability to lead successful lives as adults, according to research from Duke Medicine.
	Altruism is simpler than we thought, brain study shows A new computational model of how the brain makes altruistic choices is able to predict when a person will act generously in a scenario involving the sacrifice of money. The work, led by California Institute of Technology scientists and, appearing July 15 in the journal Neuron, also helps explain why being generous sometimes feels so difficult.
	Researchers unlock first step toward gene therapy treatment of mitochondrial disease A study led by Shoukhrat Mitalipov, Ph.D., and Hong Ma, M.D., Ph.D., at the Center for Embryonic Cell and Gene Therapy at Oregon Health & Science University and the Oregon National Primate Research Center has revealed the first critical step in developing novel gene and stem cell therapy treatments for patients with mitochondrial disease.
	New approach to spinal cord and brain injury research Many an injury will heal, but the damaged spinal cord is notoriously recalcitrant. There's new hope on the horizon, though. A team of researchers led by the University of South Carolina's Jeff Twiss just reported an innate repair mechanism in central nervous system axons that might be harnessed to regenerate nerves after brain or spinal cord injuries.
	Chemists develop novel drug to fight malaria An international team of scientists—led by researchers from the University of Washington and two other institutions—has announced that a new compound to fight malaria is ready for human trials. In a new paper published July 15 in Science Translational Medicine, they show that this compound is the first to cripple a critical protein that the malaria parasite needs to survive at different stages of its complex life cycle, and is suitable for clinical tests in humans.
	Host genetics played a role in vaccine efficacy in the RV144 HIV vaccine trial New findings published today in the journal Science Translational Medicine show that host genetics played a role in protection against HIV infection in the landmark RV144 vaccine trial conducted in Thailand.
	Surprisingly rapid regrowth of unused brain connections after decades of near blindness Since 2007, clinical trials using gene therapy have resulted in often-dramatic sight restoration for dozens of children and adults who were otherwise doomed to blindness. Now, researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), have found evidence that this sight restoration leads to strengthening of visual pathways in the brain, published this week in Science Translational Medicine.
	Researchers find gene associated with thinking skills An international team of researchers, including investigators from the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC), has identified a gene that underlies healthy information processing—a first step on a complicated road to understand cognitive aging and age-related diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease.
Team develops breakthrough tools in fight against cryptosporidium Researchers at the University of Georgia have developed new tools to study and genetically manipulate cryptosporidium, a microscopic parasite that causes the diarrheal disease cryptosporidiosis. Their discoveries, published in the journal Nature, will ultimately help researchers in academia and industry find new treatments and vaccines for cryptosporidium, which is a major cause of disease and death in children under 2 years old.
Vaginal douches may expose women to harmful phthalate chemicals Women who use feminine care products called douches may increase their exposure to harmful chemicals called phthalates—and black women may be at particularly high risk due to frequent use, according to a study published today in the journal Environmental Health.
	Iowa State analysis reveals needs for improvement in youth fitness A new study provides a snapshot of health-related physical fitness levels for U.S. schoolchildren in grades first through 12th. Iowa State University researchers analyzing data collected nationally through the NFL PLAY 60 FITNESSGRAM Partnership Project found that fitness levels sharply declined as students got older. The study is published in the Journal of Pediatrics.
	Noninvasive device could end daily finger pricking for people with diabetes A new laser sensor that monitors blood glucose levels without penetrating the skin could transform the lives of millions of people living with diabetes.
	Ebola vaccine trial begins in Senegal A trial to evaluate an Ebola vaccine has begun in Dakar, Senegal, after initial immunisations started at the Jenner Institute, Oxford University. The announcement comes as a conference in Oxford discusses the global response to Ebola and the implications for future drug and vaccine development.
Oxford Ebola vaccine study moves to next phase Oxford University doctors and scientists are performing the second phase of clinical studies of an experimental Ebola vaccine regimen. The study is part of the EBOVAC2 project, a collaborative programme involving the University of Oxford, French Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) as project coordinator, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Le Centre Muraz (CM), Inserm Transfert (IT) and the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson (Janssen).
	Selling consumers on healthy eating Tulane University School of Medicine has opened up a new front in the battle against obesity and diet-related disease: the kitchen. While food and nutrition are the focus of the Goldring Center for Culinary Medicine, the center also incorporates research from other disciplines, including business.
	Antidepressants and pain killers—should we be worried? New research has identified an increased risk of brain haemorrhage from the combined use of antidepressant medicines and medicines such as ibuprofen. Should we be worried? Dr Rupert Payne from the Cambridge Centre for Health Services Research looks at the evidence.
	Low vitamin D linked to osteoarthritis in the knee As you get older, chances are you may have noticed your knees are less forgiving when it comes to jaunting up and down the stairs. Now, a study supported in part by USDA-funded researchers suggests if you're not getting adequate vitamin D in your diet, you may be at increased risk of developing the painful condition known as osteoarthritis in your knees.
	Transplant drug could turn the tide of heart attack damage New research has revealed how a drug commonly used after transplant operations could limit some of the heart damage caused by a heart attack, in a study from Newcastle University.
	Studying blood cancer in African Americans, for better therapies for all Genetic research is a key to understanding how either race or ethnicity affect the incidence of different cancers and how these factors may contribute to different responses to the same treatments. Multiple myeloma, a blood cancer of the immune system's plasma cells, occurs two to three times more often in African Americans than in Caucasians. Finding out why could lead to better therapies for all. Winship Cancer Institute researchers couldn't do it without people like Veronica Reynolds.
	Unsafe newborn sleep influenced by grandmas and family traditions When it comes to newborn sleep, mother may not know best.
Postmenopausal women with depression or urinary incontinence experience vaginal symptoms Special efforts should be made to identify and treat depression and urinary incontinence in postmenopausal women with vaginal symptoms, according to UC San Francisco researchers, as these two common conditions not only tend to co-exist with vaginal symptoms but also may complicate the impact of these symptoms on women's daily activities and quality of life.
	New role for prostate cancer protein could lead to better diagnosis and treatment US scientists studying how prostate cancer cells grow say they've discovered a new role for a protein previously known to be involved in repairing damaged DNA.
Doctors say more geriatric research and programs should focus on successful aging A majority of studies done on senior citizens focus on frailty, but only a small percentage of older adults are actually frail. In "Failing to focus on healthy aging: A frailty of our discipline?" set to be published in the Journal of American Geriatrics Society, Highland Hospital physicians Susan Friedman, M.D., M.P.H., Krupa Shah, M.D., and William Hall, M.D. call on geriatricians nationwide to provide leadership for keeping older adults healthy as opposed to just focusing on care that is provided after people become ill.
	New roles revealed for immune-regulatory protein may have significant clinical implications Surprising insights into the activities of a 'transcription factor' protein that controls genes in cells of the immune system could change medical practice and clarify the protein's role in immunity. Hongbing Yu and colleagues at A*STAR's Singapore Immunology Network investigated NFATc2, a member of the 'nuclear factor of activated T cells' family of proteins.
	A master gene determines whether cells become pancreatic or liver cells A gene in human embryonic stem cells not only steers them to form a pancreas but simultaneously prevents them from becoming liver cells, A*STAR researchers have shown. This discovery is an important step toward growing functioning pancreatic beta cells in a dish, which may eventually help treat some forms of diabetes.
	How can you help your child handle ADHD? As is true for any children, those with ADHD need to learn to monitor their own behaviors and, when needed, change their behaviors. This process can be referred to as "self-monitoring" (notice what you are doing) and "self-regulation" (change your behaviors if needed, based upon what you noticed).
Novel approach identifies unique DNA signature Researchers in Keele University's Research Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine and at the Haywood Rheumatology Centre, in Staffordshire, UK, and the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, have for the first time identified disease-associated changes to the DNA epigenome in joint fluid cells from patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
	A new strategy against spinal cord injuries Patients, doctors and researchers look with great expectations to epidural electrostimulation, a medical technique that could alleviate the condition of subjects affected by paralysis due to spinal cord injury. Although still relatively rudimentary, the technique is constantly being improved thanks to research. A group of scientists (including some from SISSA), who have published a paper in Spinal Cord, propose a new methodological approach based on distributing the stimulation and modulating the frequency of electrical impulses, which has provided good results in vitro.
	The trustworthiness of an inmate's face may seal his fate The perceived trustworthiness of an inmate's face may determine the severity of the sentence he receives, according to new research using photos and sentencing data for inmates in the state of Florida. The research, published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, reveals that inmates whose faces were rated as low in trustworthiness by independent observers were more likely to have received the death sentence than inmates whose faces were perceived as more trustworthy, even when the inmates were later exonerated of the crime.
Body temperature change may trigger sudden cardiac death Scientists, including SFU professor Peter Ruben, have found that sudden death caused by cardiac arrhythmia can be triggered by changes in body temperature. The study is published in the Journal of Physiology.
Study adds new evidence linking brain mutation to autism, epilepsy and other neurological disorders Findings, published today [15 Jul] in Nature Communications, reveal the extent a mutation associated with autism and epilepsy plays in impairing a biochemical process in the brain. The study, led by University of Bristol researchers, could provide a new target for treating neurological disorders.
	Mechanism that adjusts the function of the nervous system to the metabolic state Researchers at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Cadiz, led by Professor Bernardo Moreno, have made an important finding which has recently been published in the prestigious scientific journal Plos Biology. The Cadiz scientists have identified a molecule, Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), as a possible element implicated in the link between the metabolic state of an organism and its cerebral function.
	Scientists find new variant of streptococcal bacteria causing severe infections Scientists have discovered a new variant of streptococcal bacteria that has contributed to a rise in disease cases in the UK over the last 17 years.
	How a data deluge leaves us struggling to make up our minds We make a huge number of decisions every day. When it comes to eating, for example, we make 200 more decisions than we're consciously aware of every day. How is this possible? Because, as Daniel Kahneman has explained, while we'd like to think our decisions are rational, in fact many are driven by gut feel and intuition. The ability to reach a decision based on what we know and what we expect is an inherently human characteristic.
	Color-blind? Whites aware of their bias better for modern race issues, says new study Some white Americans like to pat themselves on the back for being racially color-blind. But a new study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology finds that whites aware of their biases are better equipped to address contemporary racial challenges, where prejudice is often expressed in subtle, unintentional and unconscious ways.
Study highlights pneumonia hospitalizations among US adults Viruses, not bacteria, are the most commonly detected respiratory pathogens in U.S. adults hospitalized with pneumonia, according to a New England Journal of Medicine study released today and conducted by researchers at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and hospitals in Chicago and Nashville, including Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Medical marijuana laws increase use among juveniles, study says Juvenile use of marijuana is increasing substantially as more medical marijuana laws pass nationwide.
	Health care access improves with expansion of 'Obamacare': CDC While more Americans have health insurance following the expansion of the Affordable Care Act, Hispanic adults have realized some of the biggest gains in access to medical care, a new government report shows.
	Radiation from mammograms may be lower than thought (HealthDay)—The low risks from radiation exposure during mammography screening may be even lower than experts have assumed, a new study contends.
Alzheimer's may affect the brain differently in African-Americans than European-Americans Alzheimer's disease may cause different changes in the brain, or pathologies, in African-Americans than in white Americans of European descent, according to a study published in the July 15, 2015, online issue of the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Air pollution from wildfires may ignite heart hazards Air pollution from wildfires may increase risk for cardiac arrests, and other acute heart problems, according to new research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
Does heart disease begin in childhood? Are the first signs that someone is at risk of developing cardiovascular disease detectable in toddlers and preschoolers?
Pneumonia investment doesn't match mortality burden UK investment in pneumonia research is lacking when compared to spending on influenza and tuberculosis, according to a new study by the University of Southampton and University College London (UCL).
Therapeutic target identified for treatment of spinal cord injuries Spinal cord injuries cause serious functional deficits, including paraplegia or tetraplegia, depending on the scale of the injury. This is due to degeneration of the spinal pathways that carry nerve signals from the brain to the various parts of the body, and vice versa, leading to loss of mobility and sensitivity below the injury.
Human-wrought environmental changes impacting crops, pollinators could harm millions Changing environmental conditions around the globe caused by human activity could negatively impact the health of millions of people by altering the amount and quality of key crops, according to two new studies from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. One study found that decreasing numbers of food pollinators such as bees—falling in part due to pesticide use and destruction of habitats—could lead to declines in nutrient-rich crops that have been linked with staving off disease. A second study found that increasing levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) could lead to lower levels of zinc in food and thus to greatly expanded zinc deficiency.
	Study examines psychoactive 'bath salt' use among US high school seniors Recent years have seen an unprecedented growth in number and availability of new synthetic psychoactive drugs in the US and worldwide. In 2014, 101 new psychoactive drugs were identified, worldwide. Such drugs are often sold as "legal" highs or "research chemicals" over the internet or in head shops. Among these new drugs, "bath salts" appear to be one of the more commonly used in the US. "Bath salt" use has been associated with numerous adverse cardiac, psychiatric, neurological, gastrointestinal and pulmonary outcomes. In 2011, the use of bath salts was responsible for over 20,000 emergency room visits in the US and poisonings and deaths related to use have been occurring at large dance festivals. Increases in bizarre behavior linked to use of the "bath salt" known as Flakka (alpha-PVP) has increasingly been appearing in headlines. "Bath salt" use appears to be prevalent, yet, despite this, little is known about the epidemiology! of this drug in the US.
Jealousy in a romantic relationship can lead to alcohol problems People who depend on their relationship to make them feel good about themselves are more likely to drown their sorrows if they believe their partner is cheating, suggests new research. The study, published in Addictive Behaviors, links romantic jealousy, relationship-dependent self-esteem and alcohol problems for the first time.
	High blood levels of growth factor correlate with smaller brain areas in patients with schizophrenia High blood levels of a growth factor known to enable new blood vessel development and brain cell protection correlate with a smaller size of brain areas key to complex thought, emotion and behavior in patients with schizophrenia, researchers report in the journal Molecular Psychiatry.
How GPR40, a known receptor for dietary fatty acids, may protect from osteoarthritis? Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common age-related degenerative joint concerns. Although articular cartilage degradation is its main feature, this disease induces whole-joint damage characterized by synovitis, bone remodelling and osteophyte formation. Regarding bone, Yohann Wittrant, a researcher at the Human Nutrition Unit (INRA -France), has recently reported that stimulation of the orphan receptor GPR40, a fatty acid-activated receptor, preserved bone mass. Dietary fatty acids were described to improve joint function and reduce pain in OA patients and to decrease both inflammatory markers and cartilage catabolism factors in preclinical studies.
Uncovering a key relationship in ALS A University of Toronto research team has discovered new details about a key gene involved in ALS, perhaps humanity's most puzzling, intractable disease.
Rates of drunk driving tied to state alcohol policies, study finds States with more restrictive alcohol policies and regulations have lower rates of self-reported drunk driving, according to a new study by researchers at the Boston University schools of public health and medicine and the University of Minnesota School of Public Health.
	Defective telomeres are now being linked to dozens of diseases, including many types of cancer Studying telomeres, the structures that protect the ends of chromosomes, has become a key issue in biology. In recent years, not only has their relation to ageing been confirmed; defective telomeres seem to be linked to more and more illnesses, including many types of cancer. The review published by Paula Martínez and María Blasco from the CNIO in Trends in Biochemical Sciences, stresses the importance of investigating these structures to improve diagnoses and develop possible treatments for many diseases. Telomeres, in the opinion of these researchers, will become increasingly important in clinical studies.
Nanoparticles used to prevent inflammatory acne through slow-released nitric oxide GW researcher and dermatologist, Adam Friedman, M.D., and colleagues, find that the release of nitric oxide over time may be a new way to treat and prevent acne through nanotechnology. This research, published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, identified that the nanoparticles were effective at killing Proprionobacterium acnes, the gram positive bacteria associated with acne, and even more importantly, they inhibited the damaging inflammation that result in the large, painful lesions associated with inflammatory acne.
	Subset of plasma cells represent 'historical record' of childhood infections Immunologists from Emory University have identified a distinct set of long-lived antibody-producing cells in the human bone marrow that function as an immune archive.
More research needed on rare, potentially fatal CV disorder that can strike healthy pregnant women Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare disorder characterized by weakened pumping of the heart, or "left ventricular dysfunction," which results in otherwise healthy pregnant women experiencing heart failure shortly before or up to five months after they deliver healthy babies. Despite the seriousness of this condition, a new study published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology revealed that no significant research has been undertaken to explore how to prevent or treat this disorder. In fact, only three studies of possible treatments have ever been conducted, and only two of those have shown any promise.
	Exercise can improve brain function in older adults New research conducted at the University of Kansas Medical Center indicates that older adults can improve brain function by raising their fitness level.
Researchers offer lower-cost procedure for children with digestive tract problems Physicians at the University of Colorado School of Medicine on the Anschutz Medical Campus have published research that suggests a safe and lower-cost way to diagnose and treat problems in the upper gastrointestinal tract of children.
	Affordable, non-invasive test may detect who is most at risk for Alzheimer's Individuals with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) are at twice the risk of others in their age group of progressing to Alzheimer's disease. Although no conclusive test exists to predict who will develop Alzheimer's, new research from the Center for BrainHealth at The University of Texas at Dallas is attempting to identify a potential biomarker that could offer a more complete picture of who is most at risk.
Study finds Southeast's rural landscapes pose potential risk for salmonella infection Researchers from the University of Georgia have determined that various freshwater sources in Georgia, such as rivers and lakes, could feature levels of salmonella that pose a risk to humans. The study is featured in the July edition of PLOS One.
Review examines nutritional issues related to autism spectrum disorder About 1 in 88 children has an autism spectrum disorder. This represents a 78% increase in the incidence of autism spectrum disorder since 2002 (although some of the increase may be due to improved diagnostic capabilities). Individuals with an autism spectrum disorder may have poor nutrition because they often exhibit selective eating patterns as well as sensory sensitivity that predispose them to restrict their diets.
	HIV uses the immune system's own tools to suppress it A Canadian research team at the IRCM in Montreal, led by molecular virologist Eric A. Cohen, PhD, made a significant discovery on how HIV escapes the body's antiviral responses. The team uncovered how an HIV viral protein known as Vpu tricks the immune system by using its own regulatory process to evade the host's first line of defence. This breakthrough was published yesterday in the scientific journal PLOS Pathogens and will be presented at the upcoming IAS 2015 conference in Vancouver. The findings pave the way for future HIV prevention or cure strategies.
	Compounds show potential in fighting brain and breast cancers Researchers have discovered two chemical compounds that effectively stop the growth of brain cancer cells and breast tumors, opening the way for potential new drugs to be developed.
New guidelines for the treatment of IPF released by leading respiratory societies Updated guidelines on the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) have been released by an international group of leading respiratory societies, The new guidelines, issued by the American Thoracic Society, the European Respiratory Society, the Japanese Respiratory Society, and the Latin American Thoracic Association, were published in the American Thoracic Society's American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
	Breast cancer survivors gain weight at a higher rate than their cancer-free peers Breast cancer survivors with a family history of the disease, including those who carry BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations, gained more weight over the course of four years than cancer-free women—especially if they were treated with chemotherapy, according to a prospective study by Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center researchers.
Republicans postpone House vote on breast cancer bill Republican leaders delayed a House vote Tuesday on a bill raising money for breast cancer research over anger that some of the funds would go to a group that has worked with the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, which supports abortion rights.
Celgene will buy drug developer Receptos for $7.32 billion Cancer drug maker Celgene said it will buy Receptos for $7.32 billion in cash, gaining a drug Receptos is studying as a treatment for multiple sclerosis and ulcerative colitis.
Colorado eyes PTSD as ailment eligible for medical pot Colorado is poised to add post-traumatic stress disorder to the list of ailments eligible for treatment with medical marijuana.
Improved care and fewer deaths since introduction of NHS hip fracture initiative Substantial improvements in the care and survival of older people with hip fracture in England have followed the introduction of a collaborative national initiative to tackle the issue, according to a new study published in the Medical Care journal.
Lowcost interventions can improve patient and staff safety in mental health wards A recent study, published in the International Journal of Nursing Studies, reveals a set of ten low-cost interventions that can increase safety on psychiatric wards. This Safewards Model reduces aggression, self-harm and other risky behaviours by 15% and reduces coercive control, such as restraint, by 24%.
How the largest association of psychologists in the US colluded in torture In November 2014, the Board of Directors of the American Psychological Association (APA) asked David Hoffman, a former federal prosecutor, to lead an independent review of allegations that the APA colluded with government officials to sanction the use of interrogation techniques tantamount to torture.
Liberia announces second Ebola death as new outbreak spreads Liberia said on Wednesday a second patient had died in a resurgence of the Ebola virus and the outbreak had spread to its capital city.
More than 300 Poles taken ill after designer drug use Police have detained nine people suspected of trafficking designer drugs after at least 317 Poles fell ill in recent days from taking the psychoactive substances, including dozens who remained hospitalised Wednesday.
	PET adapted treatment improves outcome of patients with stages I/II Hodgkin Lymphoma Final results of the randomized intergroup EORTC, LYSA (Lymphoma Study Association), FIL (Fondazione Italiana Linfomi) H10 trial presented at the 13th International Conference on Malignant Lymphoma in Lugano, Switzerland, on 19 June 2015 show that early FDG-PET ( 2-deoxy-2[F-18]fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography) adapted treatment improves the outcome of early FDG-PET-positive patients with stages I/II Hodgkin lymphoma.
	Adolescents are not shy about discussing marijuana use on Twitter More than 65% of the marijuana-related messages posted by adolescents on Twitter indicate a positive attitude toward marijuana use, and of the teens' original tweets evaluated as part of a recent study, nearly 43% suggest personal use of the drug. Sharing these positive perceptions and acceptance of marijuana use on social media contributes to normalization of the behavior, according to the article published in Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking.
Many opioid overdoses linked to lower prescribed doses, intermittent use Overdoses of opioid pain medications frequently occur in people who aren't chronic users with high prescribed opioid doses—the groups targeted by current opioid prescribing guidelines, reports a study in the August issue of Medical Care.
China, Taiwan strengthen food safety laws China and Taiwan have enhanced the powers of their Food and Drug Administrations to be more effective in ensuring food safety and guarding against food fraud, according to a July 13 panel discussion at IFT15: Where Science Feeds Innovation hosted by the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) in Chicago.

Biology news

	Can scientists hack photosynthesis to feed the world as population soars? The world population, which stood at 2.5 billion in 1950, is predicted to increase to 10.5 billion by 2050. It's a stunning number since it means the planet's population has doubled within the lifetimes of many people alive today.
	Ecologists predict impact of climate change on vulnerable species If it seems like you're pulling more bass than trout out of Ontario's lakes this summer, you probably are.
Boosting nutrients gives a leg up to invasive species Species invasions come at a high cost. In the United States, the annual cost to the economy tops $100 billion a year and invasive plant infestations affect 100 million acres. While it's tempting to focus attention on headline-grabbing cases of exceptionally fecund flora such as the kudzu vine, also known as "the vine that ate the South", basic questions remain about how and whether exotic species are functionally distinct from native species and why they tend to take over when introduced into new environments.
	You need this hole in the head—to be smart University of Adelaide researchers have shown that intelligence in animal species can be estimated by the size of the holes in the skull through which the arteries pass.
	Researchers find proof that oysters turn pearls as part of development process (Phys.org)—A team of researchers with members affiliated with institutions in French Polynesia, France and Qatar has finally proved that pearls do spin inside of oysters as they develop. In their paper published in Royal Society Open Science, the team describes their technique and other aspects of peal development they were able to observe.
	Oriental honey buzzards might stop to smell the pollen Oriental honey buzzards, birds of prey, likely use a combination of their senses of smell and sight to identify nutritious pollen dough balls found in Taiwanese beehives, according to a study published July 15, 2015 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Shu-Yi Yang from National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Taiwan, and colleagues.
	Fruitfly sperm cells reveal intricate coordination in stem cell replication Stem cells are key for the continual renewal of tissues in our bodies. As such, manipulating stem cells also holds much promise for biomedicine if their regenerative capacity can be harnessed. However, understanding how stem cells govern normal tissue renewal is a field still in its infancy.
	Team shows a protein modification determines enzyme's fate The human genome encodes roughly 20,000 genes, only a few thousand more than fruit flies. The complexity of the human body, therefore, comes from far more than just the sequence of nucleotides that comprise our DNA, it arises from modifications that occur at the level of gene, RNA and protein.
	Australia's laughing kookaburra among birds in decline: study Populations of some of Australia's iconic birds—including the laughing kookaburra, magpie and willie wagtail—are in decline in parts of the country, according to a report released Wednesday, with habitat loss, feral cats and foxes among the likely threats.
	Rescue saves rare Philippine turtles from 'brink of extinction' Thousands of rare forest turtles have been rescued from horrifying conditions of captivity in the Philippines, saving the critically endangered animals from possible extinction, wildlife experts said Wednesday.
	Researchers discover seaweed that tastes like bacon Oregon State University researchers have patented a new strain of a succulent red marine algae called dulse that grows extraordinarily quickly, is packed full of protein and has an unusual trait when it is cooked.
	Wildlife in built-up areas an undervalued part of our urban ecosystems Urban wildlife such as deer, foxes and badgers should be cherished for the ecological benefits they bring to towns and cities, rather than feared as potentially harmful pests, scientists argue in a new report.
	Oil spills affecting fish population A mixture of bitumen and gasoline-like solvents known as dilbit that flows through Prairie pipelines can seriously harm fish populations, according to research out of Queen's University and the Royal Military College of Canada.
	The molecular architecture of cell fission processes has been revealed Biological evolution has always gone hand in hand with cell evolution. The cells of eukaryotes, the most advanced branch in the evolutionary tree, are characterised by the fact that their nuclei are separated by a membrane. This membrane is in fact a dynamic labyrinth of interconnected compartments, and each one has a specific function. These compartments communicate with each other by means of specialised connectors and carriers. One example of these carriers is the transport vesicles that allow cell material to pass between the different compartments. The biogenesis of vesicular transport indicates the highest level of cell development, and in turn, the appearance of protein systems controlling this transport coincides with the appearance of the central nervous system.
	Love conquers all: A new beetle species from Cambodia named after Venus A team of Japanese scientists found and described a new species of scarab beetle from Cambodia. The beetle was named Termitotrox venus, after Venus - the Roman goddess of beauty and love. The study was published in the open-access journal ZooKeys.
Better chocolate with microbes For decades, researchers have worked to improve cacao fermentation by controlling the microbes involved. Now, to their surprise, a team of Belgian researchers has discovered that the same species of yeast used in production of beer, bread, and wine works particularly well in chocolate fermentation. The research was published ahead of print July 6th in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, a publication of the American Society for Microbiology.
	One of world''s rarest turtles heading back to the wild WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society) and the Royal Government of Cambodia's Fisheries Administration announced today that 21 captive-raised southern river terrapins have been released back into their native habitat in southwest Cambodia. More than 150 villagers, government representatives, and religious leaders attended ceremonies for the release.
	Break crops combat ryegrass headache One of Western Australia's largest ever crop sequencing trials has provided scientists with evidence that break crops can have a significant impact on weed populations in the longer term.
Watch pets around wildlife as attacks rise in summer A 1-pound squirrel and 90-pound dog didn't let their size disparity stop them from dueling.

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