Science X Newsletter Monday, Aug 10

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for August 10, 2015:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Team records neutrinos from the Earth's mantle
- Caltech announces discovery in fundamental physics
- Best of Last Week – Neutrino oscillations, photo of the moon and Earth and neuro impact of body posture during sleep
- Charting the slow death of the Universe
- HERMES robot and operator can share life-saving moments (w/ video)
- Russian cosmonauts wrap up spacewalk (Update)
- Depth-sensing camera gleans 3-D information in bright sunlight as well as darkness
- Newly identified tadpole disease found across the globe
- Portable ultra-broadband lasers could be key to next-generation sensors
- Math boosts brain research
- Clearing habitat surrounding farm fields fails to reduce pathogens
- New hybrid microscope offers unparalleled capabilities
- China 'exporting' ozone pollution to US, study says
- Study finds price of wind energy in US at an all-time low, averaging under 2.5 cent/kWh
- Scientists pioneer method to track water flowing through glaciers

Astronomy & Space news

	Charting the slow death of the Universe An international team of astronomers studying more than 200 000 galaxies has measured the energy generated within a large portion of space more precisely than ever before. This represents the most comprehensive assessment of the energy output of the nearby Universe. They confirm that the energy produced in a section of the Universe today is only about half what it was two billion years ago and find that this fading is occurring across all wavelengths from the ultraviolet to the far infrared. The Universe is slowly dying.
	Meals ready to eat: Expedition 44 crew members sample leafy greens grown on space station Fresh food grown in the microgravity environment of space officially is on the menu for the first time for NASA astronauts on the International Space Station. Expedition 44 crew members, including NASA's one-year astronaut Scott Kelly, are ready to sample the fruits of their labor after harvesting a crop of "Outredgeous" red romaine lettuce Monday, Aug. 10, from the Veggie plant growth system on the nation's orbiting laboratory.
	Comet 67P, robot lab Philae's alien host, nears Sun A comet streaking through space with a European robot lab riding piggyback will skirt the Sun this week, setting another landmark in an extraordinary quest to unravel the origins of life on Earth.
	Russian cosmonauts wrap up spacewalk (Update) Two Russian cosmonauts on Monday added new equipment outside the International Space Station and took pictures to study its exterior during a five-and-a-half hour spacewalk.
	One decade after launch, Mars Orbiter still going strong Ten years after launch, NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) has revealed the Red Planet's diversity and activity, returning more data about Mars every week than all six other missions currently active there. And its work is far from over.
	Engineering students to launch experimental 3-D printer on NASA mission How would a 3-D printer work in the microgravity of suborbital space after surviving a jarring ride 100 miles above the earth? A group of Virginia Tech College of Engineering students hope to have an answer next week after a launch at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility.
	Antarctica may hold the key to regulating mining in space Our current era may go down in history as the century of space exploration and off-Earth resource exploitation. But there are still considerable policy hurdles to overcome in terms of how we regulate such activities.
Big data analytical advances from academia, business are enhancing exploration of universe Statisticians have combined state-of-the-art analytical techniques from the academic and business worlds to tackle the Big Data challenges confronting astrophysicists and astronomers as they explore the mysteries of our universe, Lars K.S. Daldorff and Siavoush Mohammadi today told an audience at the 2015 Joint Statistical Meetings (JSM 2015) in Seattle.
	First bite of space-grown lettuce is 'awesome' (Update) Astronauts living at the International Space Station took their first bites of space-grown lettuce on Monday, in what scientists described as another step toward enabling human missions to Mars.

Technology news

	HERMES robot and operator can share life-saving moments (w/ video) A robot's task performance can be tuned to work in dangerous disaster settings when controlled by a human master, in a project under the watchful eyes of an MIT team. Robot researchers from MIT's Department of Mechanical Engineering are behind a robot approach which is capable of keeping the robot's balance and completing tasks.
	Aerial Assault drone is armed with hacking weapons Hackers' arsenal was beefed up with a drone armed with weapons to crack into wireless computer networks at close range, whether they be in skyscrapers or walled compounds.
	Origami-inspired shelters could serve military, disaster relief efforts Most people are familiar with origami, the ancient paper-folding art form that creates unique patterns and shapes. Less familiar is the fact that origami has inspired the design of engineering devices and structures.
	Depth-sensing camera gleans 3-D information in bright sunlight as well as darkness Depth-sensing cameras, such as Microsoft's Kinect controller for video games, have become widely used 3-D sensors. Now, a new imaging technology invented by Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Toronto addresses a major shortcoming of these cameras: the inability to work in bright light, especially sunlight.
	Study finds price of wind energy in US at an all-time low, averaging under 2.5 cent/kWh Wind energy pricing is at an all-time low, according to a new report released by the U.S. Department of Energy and prepared by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab). The prices offered by wind projects to utility purchasers averaged under 2.5¢/kWh for projects negotiating contracts in 2014, spurring demand for wind energy.
	Xeon is headed for notebook PCs, Intel says stay tuned There was a time when the division of hardware form factors seemed simple enough—you use your notebook for messaging, or for viewing flight times and movie trailers or for checking out funny ads. You go to your workstation computer for, well, work.
	Drones getting in the way of emergency responders As Jason Thrasher lowered his helicopter to a park with seven firefighters aboard, he saw what he thought was another firefighting chopper battling a blaze that was threatening homes.
	Japan set to return to nuclear power after two-year hiatus Japan will Tuesday begin restarting its nuclear power programme, officials said, after a two-year shutdown sparked by public fears following the Fukushima crisis.
	Ray-tracing software lets researchers visualize science with greater fidelity When scientists run experiments—whether physically smashing atoms at the Large Hadron Collider or virtually simulating future weather—the output is often a huge set of numbers incomprehensible to the ordinary human brain.
	Can we stay safe against the threat of ransomware? The possibility of losing all of your files and photos on your computer is a frightening prospect for most people. So much so, that large numbers of users are choosing to pay the criminals holding them to ransom rather than lose their data. In Australia alone, ransoms totalling AUD $1 million were reported to have been paid in 2014. A willingness to pay may be the reason behind Australia's rise to being the second most targetted country in the world for these types of attacks in the 1st quarter of 2015.
	What neuroscience can learn from computer science What do computers and brains have in common? Computers are made to solve the same problems that brains solve. Computers, however, rely on a drastically different hardware, which makes them good at different kinds of problem solving. For example, computers do much better than brains at chess, while brains do much better than computers at object recognition. A study published in PLOS ONE found that even bumblebee brains are amazingly good at selecting visual images with color, symmetry and spatial frequency properties suggestive of flowers. Despite their differences, computer science and neuroscience often inform each other.
	Composting program cuts emissions equivalent to 7000 cars When most people put their green-topped wheelie bin out for collection, they would not expect their general household waste to end up as compost, but an innovative Perth recycling facility has been making the conversion for the past decade.
	There's no code of ethics to govern digital forensics – and we need one Let me begin with a disclaimer: I am neither a digital forensics practitioner nor do I play one on television.
	4-D movies capture every jiggle, creating realistic digital avatars "Everybody jiggles," according to Dr. Michael Black, Director at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems (MPI-IS) in Tübingen, Germany. "We may not like it, but how we jiggle says a lot about who we are. Our soft tissue (otherwise known as fat and muscle) deforms, wobbles, waves, and bounces as we move. These motions may provide clues about our risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. They also make us look real. Digital characters either lack natural soft-tissue motion or require time-consuming animation to make them believable". Now researchers at MPI-IS have captured people and how people jiggle in exacting detail and have created realistic 3D avatars that bring natural body motions to digital characters.
	Municipal utilities drive sustainability in smaller cities Small cities and rural areas lag behind in environmental protection policymaking because they often lack the financial or technical resources needed. According to newly published research at Binghamton University, places that have municipal utilities have the capacity to pursue sustainability—and are more likely to leverage that capacity to adopt more green energy policies.
	Swimming without a trace: Building a machine to mimic what sea lions naturally do At a maximum speed of 25 miles per hour, sea lions may not be the fastest-swimming mammal in the sea. But they are unrivaled when it comes to stealth—their signature clap-and-glide flipper motion propels them through water and leaves virtually no wake.
	Costs of ad blocking rise to nearly $22 bn The use of software that blocks online ads is expected to cost websites some $21.8 billion globally in 2015, a study showed Monday.
	US Internet giants join effort to curb child sex abuse Major US Internet firms have joined an effort to curb the spread of images of sex abuse of children, organizers said Monday.
	Google forms new parent, Alphabet, in restructuring Google unveiled a new corporate structure Monday, creating a parent company dubbed Alphabet led by chief executive Larry Page, with the Internet search unit as one of several entities.
Messaging app company appoints SKorea's youngest CEO The South Korean company behind popular mobile messenger app Kakao Talk named a 34-year-old startup investor as CEO who will be the country's youngest corporate boss.
Twitter huddles with NFL to tackle audience challenge Twitter is huddling with the National Football League as it tackles the challenge of attracting a broader audience to its short messaging service.
	After Netflix, Adobe extends parental leave policy Adobe is the latest tech company to extend its paid parental leave policy after Netflix said it would offer corporate employees up to a year of paid leave to care for new babies.
	Critics take aim at Expedia-Orbitz tie-up A consumer group and hotel industry association are raising objections to the planned merger of online travel bookers Expedia and Orbitz, claiming the deal would lead to a powerful duopoly.
	Air controller study shows chronic fatigue Air traffic controllers' work schedules often lead to chronic fatigue, making them less alert and endangering the safety of the national air traffic system, according to a study the government has kept secret for nearly four years.
	Spain's 'Corrupt Mayor' app jibes at political graft Collecting obscene amounts of money, writing illegal contracts, handing out bribes—all things you can do with a new Spanish mobile app inspired by headlines of corruption in Spain.
	Tech Tips: Are you better off keeping Verizon contract plan? Verizon is doing the unthinkable: Starting Thursday, the nation's largest wireless company will eliminate two-year service contracts, along with the practice of offering discounted phones at prices of $100 or $200.

Medicine & Health news

	Common medications could delay brain injury recovery Drugs used to treat common complaints could delay the recovery of brain injury patients according to research led by University of East Anglia (UEA) scientists working with other UK universities including Aston and the NHS, published today in Brain Injury.
	Stepping up the sexy: Research reveals our visual system is a 'sensitive lie detector' Queen's University professor Nikolaus Troje (Psychology, Biology, School of Computing) believes that it is the consistency of the whole appearance rather than the attractiveness of the parts.
	New computational method predicts genes likely to be causal in disease A new computational method developed by scientists from the University of Chicago improves the detection of genes that are likely to be causal for complex diseases and biological traits. The method, PrediXcan, estimates gene expression levels across the whole genome - a better measure of biological action than single mutations - and integrates it with genome-wide association study (GWAS) data. PrediXcan has the potential to identify gene targets for therapeutic applications faster and with greater accuracy than traditional methods. It is described online in Nature Genetics on Aug 10, 2015.
	Team identifies first gene that causes mitral valve prolapse An international research collaboration led by Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) investigators has identified the first gene in which mutations cause the common form of mitral valve prolapse (MVP), a heart valve disorder that affects almost 2.5 percent of the population. In a paper receiving advance online publication in Nature, the research team reports finding mutations in a gene called DCHS1 in affected members of three families in which MVP is inherited.
	Drug candidate kills cancer cells through overstimulation A drug candidate that overstimulates proteins crucial for tumor growth shows promise as a new strategy to treat a wide range of cancers. The demands of rapid cell division put a strain on cancer cells, and the approach works by tipping cell stress over the edge. In the August 10 issue of Cancer Cell, American researchers show that the drug candidate inhibits tumor growth in a mouse model of breast cancer and efficiently kills a broad range of human cancer cells.
	Scientists identify a mechanism of epidemic bacterial disease Through identification of increased toxin production by epidemic forms of group A streptococcus (the "flesh-eating" bacterium), for the first time scientists are able to pinpoint the molecular events that contribute to large intercontinental epidemics of disease. The study was based on sequencing almost 5,000 group A streptococcus genomes collected over decades.
	Math boosts brain research Human memory is the result of different mental processes, such as learning, remembering and forgetting. However, these distinct processes cannot be observed directly. Researchers at the University of Basel now succeeded at describing them using computational models. The scientists were thus for the first time able to identify gene sets responsible for steering specific memory processes. Their results have been published in the current issue of the journal PNAS.
	Scientists discover possible 'obesity gene' Scientists at the University of British Columbia have discovered a gene that could be an important cause of obesity.
	New research sheds light on the molecular origins of Parkinson's disease As Parkinson's disease progresses in patients, a puzzling dichotomy plays out in their brains. One set of neurons degenerates, while a similar population nearby is spared the same degree of damage. Why the difference? An answer to this question could clear the way for preventions and treatments for this disease, which impairs movement.
	How spiritual beliefs relate to cancer patients' physical, mental, and social well-being Research reveals that most individuals with cancer have religious and spiritual beliefs, or derive comfort from religious and spiritual experiences. But what impact does this have on patients' health? Recent analyses of all published studies on the topic—which included more than 44,000 patients—shed new light on the associations of religion and spirituality with cancer patients' mental, social, and physical well-being. Published early online in Cancer, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, the analyses indicate that religion and spirituality have significant associations with patients' health, but there was wide variability among studies regarding how different dimensions of religion and spirituality relate to different aspects of health.
Patients at risk for blood clots are not receiving recommended treatment Venous thromboembolism (VTE), encompassing deep-vein thrombosis (DVT), or blood clots in leg veins, and pulmonary embolism (PE), or clots that travel to the lungs, is the most common cause of preventable death in hospital settings. While these clots can be prevented by an approach called VTE prophylaxis, and this reduces mortality by as much as 80%, VTE prophylaxis is not universally prescribed for high-risk patients. In a study in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology, researchers found that even after educating healthcare providers about the need for VTE prophylaxis, significant numbers of patients did not receive the recommended treatment.
Study indicates first steps towards preventing suicide attempts by offenders While the risk of suicide by offenders in prison has been identified as a priority for action, understanding and preventing suicides among offenders after release has received far less attention.
Universal iodine supplementation during pregnancy could offer huge cost savings Giving all pregnant women iodine supplements, even in mildly iodine deficient countries like the UK, could result in huge cost savings for health care systems and society, according to new modelling research published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology journal.
	Promising drug for Parkinson's disease: Study supports fast track to clinical trials A drug which has already been in use for decades to treat liver disease could be an effective treatment to slow down progression of Parkinson's disease, scientists from the University of Sheffield have discovered.
	Out-of-home activities may promote older persons' physical activity It is beneficial to stimulate older people to leave home to increase their level of physical activity, suggests the study of postdoctoral researcher Erja Portegijs. The study, conducted at the Gerontology Research Center of the University of Jyväskylä, showed that older people were more physically active on the days when they left home and went further away.
	Brain receptors targeted to treat inflammatory response and human hypertension According to current statistics, hypertension affects more than 33% of US adults. Despite the availability of several antihypertensive medications, the morbidity and mortality caused by hypertension is on the rise, suggesting the need for investigation of novel signaling pathways involved in its pathogenesis.
	The five things you didn't know about teaching empathy Though it seems like they may obscure a patient's medical issues at times, emotions can actually be the key to unlocking more about a person's condition.
	A pharmacist explains why drugs cost so much When a nationally prominent oncologist said "drugs cost too much" during a high-profile speech at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology recently, no one was particularly shocked. The cost of new cancer drugs regularly exceeds $8,000 per month per patient. The cost of new pharmaceuticals in general has been skyrocketing in the U.S., and is a significant reason health insurance premiums are rising faster than inflation.
	Survival three times higher when cancer is diagnosed early Survival for some of the most common types of cancer is more than three times higher when the disease is diagnosed in the earlier stages, according to new figures published by Cancer Research UK.
	Medical selfies on the rise for diagnostics Patient-generated health data - a new phenomenon that includes taking medical selfies, wearing body monitoring devices, and recording info on mobiles and health apps - has come under the lense of medical photographer and QUT PhD researcher Kara Burns.
	Research pours cold water on ice bath recovery theory If the thought of a post workout ice bath is enough to make you shiver, new research from QUT and The University of Queensland (UQ) will warm your heart.
	Can genetics find a 'cure' for autism? We live in an age of genetics. Major genetic success stories such as breakthroughs in treating cystic fibrosis and breast cancer inspire hope that it can one day provide a cure for all ills. So when we hear that mental disorders are at least partially genetically determined, we may wonder what progress is being made.
	The Angelina effect and the mixed blessing of celebrities and risk awareness "I hope that other women can benefit from my experience", wrote Angelina Jolie of her double mastectomy. She showed great courage and generosity, sharing data and emotions with clarity. It's been just over two years since that essay in The New York Times, and several studies have been published about the impact.
	Stem cells help researchers study the effects of pollution on human health A recent study published in the Journal of Environmental Sciences (JES) shows that embryonic stem cells could serve as a model to evaluate the physiological effects of environmental pollutants efficiently and cost-effectively.
Study on perceptions of coercion during admission to psychiatric hospitals New research on the perception of coercion during admission to Irish psychiatric hospitals has found that there is a significant difference in how service users and their caregivers perceive the admission process.
	miR-7 suppresses stomach cancer A study in The Journal of Cell Biology reveals that the microRNA miR-7 suppresses gastric (stomach) cancer by inhibiting a key signaling pathway, and that this protective mechanism is compromised by the cancer-causing bacterium H. pylori. Finding drugs capable of inducing miR-7 could therefore prove to be an effective treatment against the progression of gastric cancer.
	Kids, teens win when mental health providers team with pediatricians, family doctors For the past decade, cutting-edge health care providers and researchers have increasingly pushed to integrate care for mental health and substance use problems within primary medical care for children and adolescents. Their hope is that children and teens who suffer from mental and behavioral disorders would fare better if their pediatricians or family doctors took an active role in linking them with mental health care, particularly when these doctors team up with mental health clinicians to help meet the needs of their young patients.
	Super-small needle technology for the brain Microscale needle-electrode array technology has enhanced brain science and engineering applications, such as electrophysiological studies, drug and chemical delivery systems, and optogenetics.
Link between hunger and health care costs Low-income people who struggle to put food on the table also use the health care system more, which means higher health care costs, according to new research published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
	Poor survival among colorectal cancer patients tied to biomarker CSN6 A protein called CSN6 has been found to be correlated with poor survival among patients with colorectal cancer, according to a study at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
	Southern diet could raise your risk of heart attack If your dinner plate often includes fried chicken, gravy-smothered liver, buttered rolls and sweet tea—your heart may not find it so tasty. Eating a Southern-style diet is associated with an increased risk of heart disease, according to research published in Circulation, an American Heart Association journal.
	Depressed teens at risk of heart disease, early monitoring urged For the first time, experts urge early monitoring for heart and blood vessel disease among teens with major depression or bipolar disorder, according to an American Heart Association scientific statement.
More evidence needed to identify best methods to clean hospital rooms, prevent infections Tray tables, bed rails, light switches, and toilets: All are common vectors for swapping germs between patients and health care workers. While a new systematic overview in this week's Annals of Internal Medicine points to several promising cleaning tactics of these "high-touch surfaces," there's a lack of evidence as to which is the most effective at reducing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Few studies measured patient outcomes or focused on newer technologies, and even less compared cleaning tactics against one another—important gaps to fill as the U.S. health care system works to reduce the 75,000 HAI-related deaths that occur annually.
	Work, pedal, and be healthy A new study from the University of Iowa finds that inspiring office employees to be active at work could be as easy as pedaling a bike—and they don't have to leave their desks.
	Study examines how and why states adopt drunk driving laws How do states decide what laws to adopt to prevent alcohol-impaired driving and keep their roads safe?
	Researchers develop advanced cell screening technology for cancer immunotherapy Researchers have created a new method for screening cells used in immunotherapy cancer treatments, allowing high-performing immune system cells to be studied in isolation and potentially expanding the number of patients for whom the breakthrough treatment proves successful.
	Developing a better flu vaccine Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health researchers say they have developed a method that could make a nasal spray flu vaccine effective for those under two and over 49 - two groups for which the vaccine is not approved.
	Receptor that helps protect brain cells has important role in support cells for the retina A receptor that is already a target for treating neurodegenerative disease also appears to play a key role in supporting the retina, scientists report.
	Places with more marijuana dispensaries have more marijuana-related hospitalizations People who live in areas of California with a higher density of marijuana dispensaries experience a greater number of hospitalizations involving marijuana abuse and dependence, a University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health analysis discovered.
Study suggests altered brain development among former NFL players Former National Football League (NFL) players who started playing tackle football before the age of 12 were found to have a higher risk of altered brain development compared to those who started playing at a later age. The study is the first to demonstrate a link between early exposure to repetitive head impacts and later life structural brain changes.
Women having a baby by IVF are at increased risk of reflux disease after birth Women who give birth to babies conceived by in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) are at increased risk of experiencing long-term symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), according to the results of a study published in the UEG Journal. Researchers in Turkey compared two groups of women who had given birth to their first child at least 1 year earlier and found that those who had had IVF were three-times more likely to be diagnosed with GORD than those who had conceived naturally. No differences in GORD prevalence were reported between the women who had IVF and gave birth to single babies and those who gave birth to twins.
Seniors at high risk for readmission after ambulatory surgery Patients 65 and older who have ambulatory surgery are much more likely to be readmitted to the hospital within 30 days than younger patients, regardless of their health before surgery, reports a new, large national Northwestern Medicine study. The likely cause, based on previous research, is difficulty understanding medication dosing and discharge instructions, as well as cognitive impairment among older patients.
	Study of 83,000 veterans finds cardiovascular benefits to testosterone replacement A Veterans Affairs database study of more than 83,000 patients found that men whose low testosterone was restored to normal through gels, patches, or injections had a lower risk of heart attack, stroke, or death from any cause, versus similar men who were not treated.
	Sexting and internet safety climb top 10 list of child health concerns With more kids online and using cell phones at increasingly younger ages, two issues have quickly climbed higher on the public's list of major health concerns for children across the U.S: sexting and Internet safety.
	Researchers identify nerve-guiding protein that aids pancreatic cancer spread Scientists at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center have identified a molecular partnership in pancreatic cancer cells that might help to explain how the disease spreads—metastasizes—in some cases. Their findings reveal urgently needed new targets to treat pancreatic cancer, which strikes nearly 50,000 people in the U.S. each year and has only a 5 percent survival rate five years after diagnosis.
	Couples who sext have better sex, study finds Couples who send each other sexually suggestive or explicit images by phone, commonly known as "sexting," have better sex, according to a study presented to a psychology convention in Toronto.
Survey reveals best practices that lead to high patient ratings of hospital care Based on responses to questionnaires and letters sent to CEOs and medical personnel from a nationwide sample of 53 hospitals, Johns Hopkins investigators have identified a handful of best practices they say are most likely to give patients a positive hospital experience, a sense of satisfaction and the feeling they come first.
Novavax: Early study indicates its vaccine effective vs. RSV Early research in older adults found an experimental vaccine prevented nearly two-thirds of serious cases of a common, seasonal respiratory virus that annually kills thousands of vulnerable Americans—babies and senior citizens.
	Study finds steroid therapy benefits patients with pneumonia McMaster University research, published online today by the Annals of Internal Medicine, has demonstrated the benefits of corticosteroid therapy for one of the most common serious medical conditions.
	Acute CNS complications after breath-hold diving in teens (HealthDay)—Acute central nervous system complications can occur in children after breath-hold diving, according to a case report published online Aug. 10 in Pediatrics.
	Nature of beta-cell failure tied to glycemic response to GLP-1RA (HealthDay)—In patients with type 2 diabetes, characteristics and biomarkers of β-cell failure are associated with glycemic response to GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) therapy, according to a study published online Aug. 4 in Diabetes Care.
	Continuous exercise training after MI beneficial in mice (HealthDay)—Continuous exercise training before and after myocardial infarction (MI) is associated with improved adverse left ventricular (LV) remodeling in mice, according to a study published in the July 15 issue of the American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology.
Study explores social needs of youth with cancer A Massey University researcher is exploring social interactions and comments that can help or hinder adolescents and young adults dealing with cancer.
Analysis identifies disparities in pediatric primary care accessibility in multiple states An analysis of pediatric primary health care accessibility and availability in multiple states that uncovered systematic disparities between and within states was presented today at a session of the 2015 Joint Statistical Meetings(JSM 2015) in Seattle.
Statisticians develop new two-cycle dose-finding method for personalized cancer treatments A new technique developed by statisticians that is helping doctors optimize the dose of a new cancer treatment patients receive in phase I/ II clinical trials was presented today by Juhee Lee, assistant professor of applied mathematics and statistics at the University of California, Santa Cruz, during a session at the 2015 Joint Statistical Meetings (JSM 2015) in Seattle.
JAMA Internal Medicine: Package of articles on end-of-life, physician-assisted suicide JAMA Internal Medicine will publish a package of articles, along with an author interview podcast, focused on end-of-life, euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. The original investigation, research letter, special communication and commentaries are detailed below.
Brazilian antibody will be used to create new cancer drug Recepta Biopharma, a Brazilian company, has signed a licensing agreement with Mersana Therapeutics, under which the US-based company's technology will be used to produce a monoclonal antibody (mAb) that can be deployed for the purposes of cancer treatment.
Education intervention with residents improves understanding of transgender issues The term "transgender" has made its way into mainstream media thanks to Caitlyn Jenner, previously known as Bruce Jenner, who came out as a transgender woman earlier this year. But for many physicians, or physicians-in-training, who do not typically treat transgender patients for issues specific to their gender identity, it's still a mystery.
	Worn-out warriors? ONR looks at importance of sleep to warfighters Americans are famously hard chargers who usually don't get enough shut-eye. That's particularly true in military ranks, where operational tempo is fast paced and mission completion paramount. Sleep can become a casualty, and fatigue too often a reality.
JDR articles discuss diet, dental caries and health policy Today, the International and American Associations for Dental Research (IADR/AADR) published two reports including a critical review titled "Diet and Dental Caries - the Pivotal Role of Free Sugars Reemphasized." In this study, authors Aubrey Sheiham, University College London, England; and W. Philip James, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, England, demonstrate the sensitivity of cariogenesis (the development of caries) to even very low sugars intakes. In this critical review, the authors reviewed the literature on the role of sucrose in the cariogenic process and conclude there is extensive scientific evidence that free sugars are the primary necessary factor in the development of dental caries.
	Entomological Society of America issues statement on tick-borne diseases The Entomological Society of America (ESA) recently released a statement supporting the creation and implementation of a national strategy using Integrated Tick Management to better control tick populations and reduce the rapidly escalating impact of tick-borne diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, and Lyme disease.
	NYC mayor: Legionnaires' outbreak has claimed 12 lives Two more people in the Bronx have died of Legionnaires' disease, bringing the total of fatalities to 12 in the largest outbreak of the disease in New York City history, officials said Monday.

Biology news

	Some honeybee colonies adapt in wake of deadly mites A new genetics study of wild honeybees offers clues to how a population has adapted to a mite that has devastated bee colonies worldwide. The findings may aid beekeepers and bee breeders to prevent future honeybee declines.
	Re-thinking 'adaptive radiation'—one of biology's most important concepts A lizard lineage which has evolved over the last 19 million years has helped scientists to re-think one of the most important concepts of modern biology.
	How a female X chromosome is inactivated In female mammals, one of the two X chromosomes is inactivated. Thanks to research using special stem cells, geneticists at ETH Zurich have been able to provide detailed insight into the molecular mechanism behind this inactivation process.
DREAM challenge uses crowd sourcing to test the state of the art in systems biomedicine An international study published in Nature Biotechnology presents the combined results of a 2013 DREAM Challenge: a crowd-sourcing initiative to test how well the effects of a toxic compound can be predicted in different people. The study, which is relevant to public and occupational health, shows that computational methods can be used to predict some toxic effects on populations, although they are not yet sensitive enough to predict such effects in individuals. It also presents algorithms useful for environmental risk assessment.
Atomic-level defense secrets revealed Just as nations around the globe carefully guard their defense secrets, so do plants.
	Bioengineers identify the key genes and functions for sustaining microbial life A new study led by bioengineers at the University of California, San Diego defines the core set of genes and functions that a bacterial cell needs to sustain life. The research, which answers the fundamental question of what minimum set of functions bacterial cells require to survive, could lead to new cell engineering approaches for E. coli and other microorganisms, the researchers said.
	Newly identified tadpole disease found across the globe Scientists have found that a newly identified and highly infectious tadpole disease is found in a diverse range of frog populations across the world. The discovery sheds new light on some of the threats facing fragile frog populations, which are in decline worldwide.
Traitors in our midst: Bacteria use toxins to turn our own bodies against us Researchers who have revealed a highly efficient way that bacteria use toxins to interrupt the immune response say that until now, the trickery of these toxins has been underappreciated in science.
	Engineering a permanent solution to genetic diseases In his mind, Basil Hubbard can already picture a new world of therapeutic treatments for millions of patients just over the horizon. It's a future in which diseases like muscular dystrophy, cystic fibrosis and many others are treated permanently through the science of genome engineering. Thanks to his latest work, Hubbard is bringing that future closer to reality.
	Non-native marine species' spread, impact explained by time since introduction The time since the introduction of a non-native marine species best explains its global range, according to new research by an international team of scientists led by University of Georgia ecologist James E. Byers. The study, published in the open access journal Nature Scientific Reports, also contains a warning: The vast majority of marine invaders have not yet finished spreading.
	Research shows catastrophic invertebrate extinction in Hawai'i and globally Hawai'i has been called the "extinction capital of the world." But, with the exception of the islands' birds, there has until now been no accurate assessment of the true level of this catastrophic loss. Invertebrates (insects, snails, spiders, etc.) constitute the vast majority of the species that make up Hawai'i's formerly spectacularly diverse and unique biota. A team of researchers, including scientists from the Pacific Biosciences Research Center (PBRC) at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, the Bishop Museum in Honolulu, Howard University in Washington DC, and the French National Museum of Natural History in Paris, recently published the first rigorous assessment of extinction of invertebrates in Hawai`i.
	Ocean threat from Hong Kong's taste for seafood A seafood lunch in Hong Kong is enjoyed by locals and visitors alike, but with threatened species on the menu and fishing practices that endanger marine life, campaigners want to change the city's appetite.
	Colonisation benefits illustrated via tortoise program Moving species outside of their native habitat to protect them from threats like climate change is becoming a more accepted approach and sometimes is a last resort for certain species, according to a review of the technique.
	Younger mangrove jacks weather climate change better than parents WA research has revealed adult mangrove jack (Lutjanus argentimaculatus) are likely to be negatively impacted by climate change, but that juveniles may actually benefit from its effects.
	Protecting marine mammals at heart of new guidance for marine energy sector Sea mammals, such as dolphins and grey seals, will be better protected from new wave and tidal energy developments, thanks to new guidance led by researchers at the University of St Andrews.
	Underground gourmet: Selected terrestrial cave invertebrates and their meal preferences Doubting whether terrestrial cave invertebrates feed on just anything they can find in the harsh food-wise environment underground, Dr. Jaroslav Smrz, from Charles University, Vinicna, and his international team conducted a research in Slovakian and Romania caves. They tested the hypothesis that these species have rather negligible selection of food. Their microanatomical research into the gut content of several microwhip scorpions, oribatid mites, millipedes, springtails and crustaceans showed, however, that there is an evident meal preference among the species.
	Brushing off the dust: New snail species found lying in a museum since the 19th century Having been collected back in the 19th century during an expedition in South America, a rather small snail species has been sitting around on the shelves of Madrid's National Museum of Natural Sciences ever since. Covered in more than a century-old dust, it was described as new only recently when an obscure specimen placed in the long tail of a historical collection drew the attention of Drs. Breure and Araujo. Their research is now published in the open-access journal ZooKeys.
Is she pregnant? DC zoo says panda's hormones are rising Officials say the hormone levels of the Washington's National Zoo's adult female panda are rising, but they don't know whether she is pregnant.
	Poachers' court reveals struggle to save S.African rhinos A prosecutor in South Africa's Kruger National Park says rhino poaching cases appear in court like "shoplifting cases in the city", casting doubt on the country's anti-poaching strategy as it suffers another year of rhino carnage.
	Is the "new" Norwegian wolf really wild? Loved and hated. Admired and feared. Almost wiped out and now restored. Wolves have a long and varied history in Norway and trigger strong feelings on both sides of the issue.
Citizen-scientists help researchers team prepare for skunk vaccinations Northern Arizona University researchers have partnered with northern Arizona communities in an effort to learn more about skunk behavior and determine best methods for vaccination against rabies, a fatal disease that can be spread from skunks to other wildlife, pets and humans.
Improved farm animal welfare – added value or a necessity? Several years ago I started to study an economic issue related to farm animal welfare. Quite soon I realized that this issue can trigger an intensive discussion and receive attention among citizens and in the media. Almost everybody seems to have an opinion on it.

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