Science X Newsletter Thursday, Aug 27

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for August 27, 2015:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Neural qubits: Quantum cognition based on synaptic nuclear spins
- Chandra data suggest giant collision triggered 'radio phoenix'
- Researchers develop atomic laser operating at the shortest wavelength yet
- Evidence suggests subatomic particles could defy the standard model
- Team creates functional ultrathin solar cells
- Imaging techniques set new standard for super-resolution in live cells
- New theory leads to radiationless revolution
- Astrophysicists find supermassive black holes in quasar nearest Earth
- Researcher discover songbird habitat affects reproduction, survival
- South African prototype may solve solar power problem
- Pancake-making PR2 spells teachable future in robotics
- Research identifies a protein that helps determine the fate of RNA
- The DNA damage response goes viral: A way in for new cancer treatments
- Circadian genes go to sleep every day at the periphery of the nucleus
- Parkinson's disease brain cells at risk of burnout, like an overheating motor

Astronomy & Space news

	Chandra data suggest giant collision triggered 'radio phoenix' Astronomers have found evidence for a faded electron cloud "coming back to life," much like the mythical phoenix, after two galaxy clusters collided. This "radio phoenix," so-called because the high-energy electrons radiate primarily at radio frequencies, is found in Abell 1033. The system is located about 1.6 billion light years from Earth.
	Astrophysicists find supermassive black holes in quasar nearest Earth Astronomers using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope have found that Markarian 231 (Mrk 231), the nearest galaxy to Earth that hosts a quasar, is powered by two central black holes furiously whirling about each other.
	Astronomers unravel the history of galaxies for the first time A team of international scientists, led by astronomers from Cardiff University's School of Physics and Astronomy, has shown for the first time that galaxies can change their structure over the course of their lifetime.
	Interstellar seeds could create oases of life We only have one example of a planet with life: Earth. But within the next generation, it should become possible to detect signs of life on planets orbiting distant stars. If we find alien life, new questions will arise. For example, did that life arise spontaneously? Or could it have spread from elsewhere? If life crossed the vast gulf of interstellar space long ago, how would we tell?
	Young hopefuls in race to be first black African in space In half a century of space travel more than 500 people have glimpsed the Earth from the unique vantage point of the cosmos, yet no black African has been among them.
	Discovering dust-obscured active galaxies as they grow A group of researchers from Ehime University, Princeton University, and the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) among others has performed an extensive search for Dust Obscured Galaxies (DOGs) using data obtained from the Subaru Strategic Program with Hyper Suprime-Cam (HSC). HSC is a new wide-field camera mounted at the prime focus of the Subaru Telescope and is an ideal instrument for searching for this rare and important class of galaxy. The research group discovered 48 DOGs, and has measured how common they are. Since DOGs are thought to harbor a rapidly growing black hole in their centers, these results give us clues for understanding the evolution of galaxies and supermassive black holes.
	First signals from CALET on the ISS Five days after it launched from the Tanegashima Space Center on board the HTV-5 Transport Module, operated by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the CALorimetric Electron Telescope (CALET) docked at the International Space Station (ISS). The instrument, now in the check-out phase, is sending its first signals back from the Space Station.
	Buzz Aldrin joins university, forming 'master plan' for Mars Buzz Aldrin is teaming up with Florida Institute of Technology to develop "a master plan" for colonizing Mars within 25 years.
	Origin of Saturn's F ring and its shepherd satellites revealed Hyodo Ryuki, a second-year student in the Doctoral Program, and Professor OHTSUKI Keiji of the Graduate School of Science at Kobe University have revealed that Saturn's F ring and its shepherd satellites are natural outcome of the final stage of formation of Saturn's satellite system. Their finding has been published online in Nature Geoscience on August 17.

Technology news

	Team creates functional ultrathin solar cells (Phys.org)—A team of researchers with Johannes Kepler University Linz in Austria has developed an ultrathin solar cell for use in lightweight and flexible applications. In their paper published in the journal Nature Materials, the group describes how they created their solar cells and then tested them with miniature aircraft.
	Review: New phones, tablets keep Samsung at Android helm Samsung's new smartphones and tablets might not offer enough to entice current iPhone and iPad users to switch, but they keep Samsung at the head of the class among Android gadget makers.
	With silicon pushed to its limits, what will power the next electronics revolution? The semiconducting silicon chip launched the revolution of electronics and computerisation that has made life in the opening years of the 21st century scarcely recognisable from the start of the last. Silicon integrated circuits (IC) underpin practically everything we take for granted now in our interconnected, digital world: controlling the systems we use and allowing us to access and share information at will.
	Schlieren images reveal supersonic shock waves NASA researchers in California are using a modern version of a 150-year-old German photography technique to capture images of shock waves created by supersonic airplanes. Over the past five years scientists from NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base and Ames Research Center at Moffett Field have teamed up to demonstrate how schlieren imagery, invented in 1864 by German physicist August Toepler, can be used to visualize supersonic flow phenomena with full-scale aircraft in flight. The results will help engineers to design a quiet supersonic transport. Although current regulations prohibit unrestricted overland supersonic flight in the United States, a clear understanding of the location and relative strength of shock waves is essential for designing future high-speed commercial aircraft.
Researchers efficiently charge a lithium-ion battery with solar cell Consumers aren't embracing electric cars and trucks, partly due to the dearth of charging stations required to keep them moving. Even the conservation-minded are hesitant to go electric in some states because, studies show, if fossil fuels generate the electricity, the car is no greener than one powered with an efficient gasoline.
	South African prototype may solve solar power problem By thinking small, a group of South African scientists may have pioneered solar technology that has stumped Internet giant Google.
	Researcher develops cheaper, better LED technology A Florida State University engineering professor has developed a new highly efficient and low cost light emitting diode that could help spur more widespread adoption of the technology.
	Pancake-making PR2 spells teachable future in robotics The RoboHow project has told the world what it's been up to in research at the High-Tech Systems 2015 fair and conference in the Netherlands. RoboHow is a four-year European research project that started in February 2012. It works toward enabling robots to competently perform everyday human-scale manipulation activities, in work and living environments.
	YouTube Gaming launches as e-sports arena YouTube on Wednesday strode into an arena dominated by Amazon-owned Twitch, with the launch of a service tailored for the hot trend of video game play as a spectator sport.
Report links hacking scheme to Iran (Update) Researchers have linked a sophisticated hacking scheme targeting Iranian dissidents and at least one freedom of expression activist back to Iran.
	Are you a nomophobe? If you're wondering how to respond to that question, an Iowa State University study can help you find the answer. ISU researchers have developed a questionnaire to help you determine if you suffer from nomophobia or a fear of being without your mobile phone.
	Bone-fracture puzzles introduce undergraduates to real-world engineering In a new project-based class, first-year bioengineering students at the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering produced 3D-printed models of fractured ankles from 2D images of real patients.
	Researcher finds children have better manners than robots A group of children proved that they had better manners than a robot as they tried to program it to move, stop, and react to touch as part of a research project at the University of Sussex.
	Tuberculosis video game battles world's oldest disease A new video game from Abertay University students and University of St Andrews scientists is taking on humanity's oldest disease, tuberculosis.
	Sharks, skateboards, survival debut on Discovery VR network Discovery is unleashing the first videos for its virtual reality network, Discovery VR, a fledgling service that is testing the limits and capabilities of the immersive format.
	Facebook to meet German government on Internet hate-mongering Facebook on Thursday accepted an invitation from Germany's justice minister to discuss doing more to purge the social network of racist posts after widespread complaints from users.
	Google rejects EU anti-trust allegations as flawed (Update) Google rejected on Thursday a complaint by Europe's competition watchdog that the Internet giant is abusing its dominance in Web searches to promote its own products.
	Apple schedules new product event for Sept. 9 Apple has announced plans for a new product event on Sept. 9 in San Francisco, where the giant tech company is expected to show off new iPhones and other gadgets.
	Twitter tries to lure in users as it searches for CEO (Update) Twitter's most urgent task is naming a new CEO. But the most formidable one is convincing more people that its service is essential, easy to use and not just meant for celebrities, 16-year-olds and news junkies.
	Tesla car gets best-ever rating from Consumer Reports A new Tesla electric car has earned the best-ever vehicle rating from Consumer Reports, sending shares of the automaker racing higher Thursday.
	Instagram images no longer just squares Instagram on Thursday broke its square mold with an update that adds portrait and landscape formats to the image-sharing smartphone application.
	In Spain, Google Street View car targeted by tomato throwers All it wanted was to capture the aftermath of Spain's annual Tomatina festival, but in the end, the Google Street View car turned out to be a ripe target for tomato throwers.
	Apple event set for Sept 9 in San Francisco Apple on Thursday sent out invitations to a Sept. 9 media event, hinting that Siri virtual assistant software in its mobile devices will play a role.
	For the first time, 1 billion people used Facebook in a day For the first time, a billion people used Facebook in a single day on Monday.
	Cheater website Ashley Madison had few women: report If one analysis of hacked data from Ashley Madison is true, the affair-seeker website promoted a lot of talk, but little action.
	State Department officials routinely sent secrets over email The transmission of now-classified information across Hillary Rodham Clinton's private email is consistent with a State Department culture in which diplomats routinely sent secret material on unsecured email during the past two administrations, according to documents reviewed by The Associated Press.
Dish and Sinclair agree in principle on new contract Dish Network and Sinclair Broadcast Group, one of the largest TV broadcasters in the U.S., said Wednesday they've agreed on the outline of a new contract, one day after Sinclair's channels went dark for Dish customers.
Cornell joins pleas for responsible AI research The phrase "artificial intelligence" saturates Hollywood dramas – from computers taking over spaceships, to sentient robots overpowering humans. Though the real world is perhaps more boring than Hollywood, artificial intelligence (AI) is a rapidly expanding academic and technological field, and Cornell scientists are playing a major role in it.
Turning sewage sludge into concrete The disposal of sludge from sewage water treatment is a big issue for wastewater plants in Malaysia. While studies show that the volume of sludge is expected to rise, disposal options are limited due to stricter environmental regulations including a ban on burying sludge in soil due to its high heavy metal content that could cause adverse impacts to the environment. Meanwhile, the construction sector is seeking economic and ecological cement replacement materials in order to meet an increasing demand for concrete.
AP sues over access to FBI records involving fake news story The Associated Press sued the U.S. Department of Justice Thursday over the FBI's failure to provide public records related to the creation of a fake news story used to plant surveillance software on a suspect's computer.
	Sprint offers DirecTV customers free year of phone service (Update) Sprint is offering DirecTV customers one free year of cellphone service in a bold move aimed at the satellite TV company's new owner, AT&T.

Medicine & Health news

	Researchers thwart cancer cells by triggering 'virus alert' Working with human cancer cell lines and mice, researchers at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center and elsewhere have found a way to trigger a type of immune system "virus alert" that may one day boost cancer patients' response to immunotherapy drugs. An increasingly promising focus of cancer research, the drugs are designed to disarm cancer cells' ability to avoid detection and destruction by the immune system.
	Surprised? Cholinergic neurons send broadcasts enabling us to learn from the unexpected When a large combat unit, widely dispersed in dense jungle, goes to battle, no single soldier knows precisely how his actions are affecting the unit's success or failure. But in modern armies, every soldier is connected via an audio link that can instantly receive broadcasts - reporting both positive and negative surprises - based on new intelligence. The real-time broadcasts enable dispersed troops to learn from these reports and can be critical since no solider has an overview of the entire unit's situation.
	Parkinson's disease brain cells at risk of burnout, like an overheating motor The death of brain cells in Parkinson's disease may be caused by a form of cellular energy crisis in neurons that require unusually high quantities of energy to carry out their job of regulating movement, researchers at the University of Montreal reported today. The neurodegenerative disorder affects over 100,000 Canadians and over 1,000,000 Americans. "Like a motor constantly running at high speed, these neurons need to produce an incredible amount of energy to function. They appear to exhaust themselves and die prematurely," said lead researcher Louis-Éric Trudeau, a professor at the university's Departments of Phamacology and Neurosciences.
	Is neuroticism fueled by overthinking? Isaac Newton was a classic neurotic. He was a brooder and a worrier, prone to dwelling on the scientific problems before him as well as his childhood sins. But Newton also had creative breakthroughs—thoughts on physics so profound that they are still part of a standard science education.
	Massive study reports challenges in reproducing published psychology findings A study that sought to replicate 100 findings published in three prominent psychology journals has found that, across multiple criteria, independent researchers could replicate less than half of the original findings. In some cases this may call into question the validity of some scientific findings, but it may also point to the difficulty of conducting effective replications and achieving reproducible results.
	Glial cells use lipids to direct neuron organization in the spinal cord Scientists at the RIKEN Brain Science Institute in Japan have discovered that in addition to proteins, lipids are also necessary for guiding axons. Published in Science, the study shows how a phospholipid released by glial cells—the cells in the nervous system that support neurons—controls the positioning of sensory neurons within the spinal cord.
	HIV particles do not cause AIDS, our own immune cells do Researchers from the Gladstone Institutes have revealed that HIV does not cause AIDS by the virus's direct effect on the host's immune cells, but rather through the cells' lethal influence on one another.
	'Brainbow' reveals surprising data about visual connections in brain Neuroscientists know that some connections in the brain are pruned through neural development. Function gives rise to structure, according to the textbooks. But scientists at the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute have discovered that the textbooks might be wrong.
	Shift focus from calorie counting to nutritional value for heart health, say experts It's time to stop counting the calories, and instead start promoting the nutritional value of foods if we are to rapidly cut illness and death from cardiovascular disease and curb the rising tide of obesity, say experts in an editorial published in the online journal Open Heart.
	New approach to tackling uncontrolled high blood pressure shows significant results Scientists from Queen Mary University of London and Barts Health NHS Trust have successfully improved blood pressure control among patients with severe intolerance to antihypertensive medication - by using medicines in unconventional ways and treating patients with a 'stepped care' approach (where the most effective yet least intensive treatment is delivered to patients first).
	New strategy improves detection of genetic mutations in hereditary colorectal cancer About 3% of colorectal cancers are due to Lynch syndrome, an inherited cancer susceptibility syndrome that predisposes individuals to various cancers. Close blood relatives of patients with Lynch syndrome have a 50% chance of inheritance. The role that PMS2 genetic mutations play in Lynch syndrome has been underestimated in part due to technological limitations. A new study in the Journal of Molecular Diagnostics describes a multi-method strategy to overcome existing technological limitations by more accurately identifying PMS2 gene mutations, which will improve diagnosis and support appropriate genetic counseling and medical management.
	CanDL database shines light on clinically important cancer gene mutations Many clinical trials use genome sequencing to learn which gene mutations are present in a patient's tumor cells. The question is important because targeting the right mutations with the right drugs can stop cancer in its tracks. But it can be difficult to determine whether there is evidence in the medical literature that particular mutations might drive cancer growth and could be targeted by therapy, and which mutations are of no consequence.
	Study finds peak months for college students' first drug use Parents worried that their college-bound children might succumb to the temptations of campus life may want to take note of a new analysis that found that students tend to experiment with specific types of drugs for the first time during certain times of year.
	A tired surgeon still a good surgeon, study finds (HealthDay)—Don't panic if your doctor worked into the wee hours of the night before he operates on you, new research suggests.
	Impotence drug aids treatment of rare lung disease (HealthDay)—A combination treatment using the erectile dysfunction drug Cialis may greatly reduce death and hospitalization from an incurable lung disease that mainly affects women, a new clinical trial shows.
	AAD issues second set of Choosing Wisely recommendations (HealthDay)—The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) has published a second list of recommendations regarding dermatologic tests and treatments that are not always necessary.
	Most don't need 'bridging' when they stop warfarin temporarily (HealthDay)—Heart patients on the clot-preventing drug warfarin usually have to stop the medication before having surgery. Now, a new study shows they can safely do that without taking another anti-clotting drug—and they may even be better off.
	Link between gene variant and aggression in children Some children react more strongly to negative experiences than others. Researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) have found a link between aggression and variants of a particular gene.
	Covert and overt forms of sexism are equally damaging to working women Frequent sexist wisecracks, comments and office cultures where women are ignored are just as damaging to women as single instances of sexual coercion and unwanted sexual attention, according to a new study out today in The Psychology of Women Quarterly.
More support needed for young adults with life-limiting conditions A new report has called for improved training and ongoing support for young adults living with life-limiting conditions, their families and health and social care professionals.
	When cancer makes its way to the brain Only half of brain cancers actually start in the brain. The rest—as in the case of former President Jimmy Carter—are metastatic tumors from cancer that originated elsewhere in the body.
Research finds similar neural reactions among drinkers, abstainers College students who are light alcohol drinkers or abstainers react the same when they see alcohol as those who drink regularly or binge drink, according to a researcher at The University of Alabama.
	Koalas may be good model for understanding human STI Koala studies may provide important new insights into how chlamydial infections compromise human male infertility, according to new Australian research.
	Brexpiprazole provides new second-line treatment options for patients with major depressive disorder Brexpiprazole, an antipsychotic drug approved this summer by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, is an effective and well-tolerated addition to conventional first-line antidepressants for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD), according to research from psychiatrists in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. They detail their findings in two studies published this month in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.
	Double cochlear implants improve student grades A world-first study of deaf primary school students has revealed children with double cochlear implants performed much better on exams than children with only one.
	Kids are prescribed, abusing controlled drugs earlier in life A new University of Michigan study of Detroit-area middle and high school students showed that the number of children prescribed controlled medications before age 12 roughly doubled over a 10-year period.
	Could eczema prevention start at birth? 1300 new born babies are being signed up to a study looking at whether the application of non-cosmetic moisturisers, along with best practice skin care advice, could prevent the onset of eczema in high risk babies. The video can be viewed here.
	Psychologists tackle youth sport drop-out rates Psychologists from the University of Stirling have developed an innovative intervention to arrest the youth drop-out rate in Ireland's biggest sporting organisation.
Bringing Cuba's lung cancer vaccine to the States Amid a historic normalizing of relations between the United States and Cuba, a potentially game-changing step was recently taken in the field of lung cancer research.
	Can a modified poliovirus fight advanced prostate cancer too? Duke researchers made a big splash in the news last spring when 60 Minutes featured the success of early clinical trials using a modified poliovirus in the fight against a deadly form of brain cancer. Now, with funding from the Duke CTSA through the Duke Translational Research Institute (DTRI) Collaborative Pilot Award, an interdisciplinary team of researchers is on the path to apply this promising new therapy, known as PVSRIPO, in patients with incurable metastatic prostate cancer.
Repurposing nitroglycerin for anti-cancer treatments For over a century, nitroglycerin has been used medically – particularly in the treatment of angina, or chest pain. It is a safe, cheap and effective treatment. Now, according to the latest study in ecancermedicalscience, researchers find that nitroglycerin is the latest in a series of medicines that could be repurposed to treat cancer.
	Difficulty making good choices may indicate vulnerability to suicide Not even close to every person who faces challenges or lives with severe depression commits suicide. Some people are more vulnerable than others.
	Differences in brain structure and memory suggest adolescents may not 'grow out of' ADHD Young adults diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adolescence show differences in brain structure and perform poorly in memory tests compared to their peers, according to new research from the University of Cambridge, UK, and the University of Oulu, Finland.
	Research shows high protein foods boost cardiovascular health Eating foods rich in amino acids could be as good for your heart as stopping smoking or getting more exercise – according to new research from the University of East Anglia (UEA).
	Trypanosomes and renal insufficiency The African trypanosome Trypanosoma brucei is a blood parasite capable of infecting many mammals. Humans are provided with natural immunity against infection through the activity of the protein apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1): captured via endocytosis, APOL1 forms pores in the lysosomal membrane, leading to the death of the trypanosome.
	Zen meditation improves sense of touch A study conducted with experienced scholars of zen meditation shows that mental focusing can induce learning mechanisms similar to physical training. Researchers at the Ruhr-University Bochum and the Ludwig-Maximilians-University München discovered this phenomenon during a scientifically monitored meditation retreat. The journal Scientific Reports, from the makers of Nature, has now published their new findings on the plasticity of the brain.
	HIV testing among older adults is declining, despite CDC recommendation Researchers led by the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health examined HIV testing trends among adults ages 50 through 64 both before and after 2006, when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that most doctors automatically screen all patients for HIV regardless of whether they have symptoms.
Researchers develop framework for value-based pricing of cancer drugs At a time when cancer drug prices are rising rapidly, an innovative new study provides the framework for establishing value-based pricing for all new oncology drugs entering the marketplace. Using a highly sophisticated economic model, researchers from Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology used an example of a new lung cancer drug. The study findings will be published August 27, 2015 in JAMA Oncology.
	21-gene recurrence score and receipt of chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer Use of the 21-gene recurrence test score was associated with lower chemotherapy use in high-risk patients and greater use of chemotherapy in low-risk patients compared with not using the test among a large group of Medicare beneficiaries, according to an article published online by JAMA Oncology.
Safety of microfocused ultrasound with visualization in darker skin types Microfocused ultrasound (MFU) treatment to tighten and lift skin on the face and neck appeared to be safe for patients with darker skin types in a small study that resulted in only a few temporary adverse effects, according to a report published online by JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery.
Mammary gland is shaped by adaptive immune system during development In experiments with mouse tissue, UC San Francisco researchers have discovered that the adaptive immune system, generally associated with fighting bacterial and viral infections, plays an active role in guiding the normal development of mammary glands, the only organs—in female humans as well as mice—that develop predominately after birth, beginning at puberty.
	How do harmful chronic myelogenous leukemia stem cells obtain their nutrients? A research group in Japan and in Korea has found a novel nutrient uptake process that maintains the activity of murine chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) stem cells. Pharmacological inhibition of nutrient uptake decreased CML stem cell activity in vivo. Based on a report published on August 20, 2015 in Nature Communications, it has been established that certain nutrients support CML stem cell activity in vivo, thus pointing towards a potential therapeutic target for CML therapy.
	Fish oil-diet benefits may be mediated by gut microbes Diets rich in fish oil versus diets rich in lard (e.g., bacon) produce very different bacteria in the guts of mice, reports a study published August 27 in Cell Metabolism. The researchers transferred these microbes into other mice to see how they affected health. The results suggest that gut bacteria share some of the responsibility for the beneficial effects of fish oil and the harmful effects of lard.
	Researchers mimic viral infection in colon cancer stem cells Researchers targeting colorectal cancer stem cells - the root cause of disease, resistance to treatment and relapse - have discovered a mechanism to mimic a virus and potentially trigger an immune response to fight the cancer like an infection.
	Scientists reveal cellular clockwork underlying inflammation Researchers at the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute at Virginia Tech have uncovered key cellular functions that help regulate inflammation—a discovery that could have important implications for the treatment of allergies, heart disease, and certain forms of cancer.
	Short bouts of activity may offset lack of sustained exercise in kids Brief intervals of exercise during otherwise sedentary periods may offset the lack of more sustained exercise and could protect children against diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer, according to a small study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health
Antibiotic use linked to type 2 diabetes diagnosis People who developed Type 2 diabetes tended to take more antibiotics in the years leading up to the diagnosis than people who did not have the condition, according to a new study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
	Health workers wasting expensive malaria drugs in Nigeria Health providers trained to perform malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) are still prescribing valuable malaria medicines to patients who do not have malaria, according to new research published in PLOS ONE.
	A new virus in liver cancer More than a cause of a simple infection, viruses are often involved in the development of serious diseases. Such is the case with liver cancer, which often develops in an organ that has been weakened by hepatitis B or C virus. Researchers at Inserm, the Paris Public Hospitals (AP-HP), Paris Descartes University, Paris 13 University (USPC), and Paris Diderot University have just identified the role of a new virus, hitherto unsuspected, in the occurrence of a rare type of liver cancer.
Experts stress need for sufficient iodine nutrition during pregnancy New research published in Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, a journal of the Nordic Federation of Societies of Obstetrics and Gynecology, found that pregnant women in Sweden had inadequate levels of iodine in their diets. Proper iodine nutrition is necessary for neurological development of the fetus.
	In very ill, probiotics don't prevent 'superbugs' from colonizing intestinal tract Compared with routine medical care, probiotics administered to critically ill patients in intensive care units showed no benefit in preventing the colonization of drug-resistant microbes in the intestinal tract, according to new research at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
FDA lays out proposal for naming lower-cost biotech drugs (Update) The Food and Drug Administration released its proposal Thursday for naming lower-cost biotech drugs, a critical step in creating a market for the new class of medicines.
Study identifies cause of resilience to tinnitus, drugs that can reduce chance of developing the debilitating condition Researchers have identified in an animal model the molecular mechanisms behind resilience to noise-induced tinnitus and a possible drug therapy that could reduce susceptibility to this chronic and sometimes debilitating condition. The findings by a team from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine were published online in the journal eLife.
	Survey finds many physicians overestimate their ability to assess patients' risk of Ebola While most primary care physicians responding to a survey taken in late 2014 and early 2015 expressed confidence in their ability to identify potential cases of Ebola and communicate Ebola risks to their patients, only 50 to 70 percent of them gave answers that fit with CDC guidelines when asked how they would care for hypothetical patients who might have been exposed to Ebola. In addition, those who were least likely to encounter an Ebola patient - based on their location and characteristics of their patients - were most likely to choose overly intense management of patients actually at low risk. The results of the survey, conducted by a team of Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) investigators, have been published online in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
MERS virus kills 19 in week in Saudi: ministry Deaths from the MERS coronavirus have surged in Saudi Arabia ahead of the hajj pilgrimage, with 19 fatalities recorded in a week, according to health ministry statistics.
About ten percent of mothers experienced depression two years after Hurricane Katrina, study shows About 10 percent of mothers experienced chronic, persistent depressive symptoms two years after Hurricane Katrina slammed into the Gulf Coast, killing more than 1,800 people, displacing hundreds of thousands and causing widespread damage estimated at more than $100 billion, according to a Georgia State University study.
Growth hormone reduces risk of osteoporosis fractures in older women For years after it was administered, growth hormone continued to reduce the risk of fractures and helped maintain bone density in postmenopausal women who had osteoporosis, according to a new study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
	A patient shedding poliovirus for 28 years: Possible challenges for polio eradication With all but two countries worldwide, Pakistan and Afghanistan, declared polio-free, the eradication of the devastating viral disease in the near future is a real possibility. A study published on August 27th in PLOS Pathogens reports results from an individual in the UK with an immune disease whose stool samples have contained large amounts of live polio virus for over 20 years. Patients like this one, the authors suggest, could start new polio outbreaks and complicate polio eradication as currently planned.
Pregnant women with hypertension and their siblings face increased risk of heart disease High blood pressure during pregnancy is a risk factor for future hypertension and cardiovascular disease, but it's not clear if this increased risk is because these women are more likely to have a family history of heart disease or if elevated blood pressure during pregnancy causes long-term metabolic and vascular abnormalities. A study appearing in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN) now provides some insights.
	15 percent of cigarettes sold in NYC have illegal tax stamps, study finds Licensed tobacco retailers throughout New York City are selling a substantial number of cigarette packs carrying either counterfeit or out-of-state tax stamps, finds an investigation by NYU public health researchers.
Cervical pessary doesn't reduce rate of preterm birth or neonatal complications in twin gestatations Having twins accounts for only 1.5% of all births but 25% of preterm births, the leading cause of infant mortality worldwide. Successful strategies for reducing singleton preterm births include prophylactic use of progesterone and cervical cerclage in patients with a prior history of preterm birth. To investigate whether the use of a cervical pessary might reduce premature births of twins, an international team of researchers conducted a large, multicenter, international randomized clinical trial (RCT) of approximately 1200 twin pregnancies. They report in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology that placement of a cervical pessary did not reduce spontaneous preterm births or reduce neonatal complications.
	Alzheimer's disease thought to be accelerated by an abnormal build-up of fat in the brain People with Alzheimer's disease have fat deposits in the brain. For the first time since the disease was described 109 years ago, researchers affiliated with the University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre (CRCHUM) have discovered accumulations of fat droplets in the brain of patients who died from the disease and have identified the nature of the fat.
	Degenerating neurons respond to gene therapy treatment for Alzheimer's disease Degenerating neurons in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) measurably responded to an experimental gene therapy in which nerve growth factor (NGF) was injected into their brains, report researchers at University of California, San Diego School of Medicine in the current issue of JAMA Neurology.
Scientists identify possible key in virus, cancer research Florida State University researchers have taken a big step forward in the fight against cancer with a discovery that could open up the door for new research and treatment options.
In diabetic eye disease, peripheral lesions in the retina point to risks of progression For decades, clinicians have detected and monitored diabetic eye disease with standard retinal photographs that cover about a third of the retina. In recent years, an emerging class of ultrawide field (UWF) cameras has given a substantially larger view of the retina, providing new insight on the presentation and natural history of retinal disease. Investigators at the Joslin Diabetes Center now have shown that eyes with diabetic retinal lesions predominantly in peripheral areas of the retina that are seen in UWF images but not in traditional retinal photographs show surprisingly higher risks of progressing to advanced stages of vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy.
Humans may be harmed by endocrine disrupting chemicals released during natural gas mining More than 15 million Americans live within one mile of unconventional oil and gas (UOG) operations that combine directional drilling and hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking" to release natural gas from underground rock. Scientific studies still are inconclusive on the potential long-term effects on human development. Now, Susan C. Nagel and Christopher D. Kassotis, researchers with the University of Missouri, and national colleagues have conducted a review of research on health effects associated with UOG operations and concluded these activities have potential for environmental release of a complex mixture of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that could potentially harm human development and reproduction.
	Healthier school meals offered across US, feds find (HealthDay)—Most U.S. schools are offering healthier meals that feature more fruits and vegetables, more whole grains and less salt, a new government study reports.
	Injuries tied to illegal meth labs on the rise: CDC (HealthDay)—Chemical burns, respiratory ailments and even deaths tied to accidents in illegal methamphetamine labs are on the rise in the United States, a new study shows.
	ERCC1 SNP can identify good prognosis in nasopharyngeal CA (HealthDay)—Excision repair cross-complementing group 1 (ERCC1) genotype for the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) cytosine-to-thymine substitution at codon 118 (C118T) interacts with post-radiotherapy plasma Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA (pEBV) to identify favorable prognosis for a subgroup of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), according to a study published in the Aug. 15 issue of Cancer.
	Psoriasis patients at higher risk for arrhythmia (HealthDay)—Patients with psoriasis are at higher risk of developing arrhythmia, even after controlling for other risk factors, according to a study published in the September issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
	Many with nonceliac wheat sensitivity have autoimmune diseases (HealthDay)—More patients with nonceliac wheat sensitivity (NCWS) and celiac disease (CD) than irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) develop autoimmune diseases (ADs), according to a study published in the September issue of Gastroenterology.
	Study links air pollution to children's low GPAs A University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) study on children's health has found that fourth and fifth graders who are exposed to toxic air pollutants at home are more likely to have lower GPAs.
JBJS 'Watch' cites head-neck troubles with modular hip implants JBJS Case Connector, an online case report journal published by The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, has issued a "Watch" regarding relatively rare but potentially catastrophic complications from failure of modular head-neck prostheses commonly used in hip-replacement surgery.
	Dementia detection research a personal mission for PhD student A University of Manchester PhD student has used MR scans in a new way to detect the devastating form of dementia that affected her late husband, raising the possibility of earlier diagnosis.
	Fixing Massachusetts' troubled foster care system Last week, the death of a 2-year-old foster child in Auburn, Massachusetts, drew widespread attention to the state's troubled child welfare system. As criticism of its Department of Children and Families continues to mount, we spoke with Northeastern professors Elise Dallimore and Christie Rizzo. Dallimore, an associate professor of communication studies and a foster parent herself, studies the role of communication in the process of organizational learning, including methods for enhancing organizational development activities. Rizzo, an associate professor of applied psychology who served as the assistant director of the Juvenile Mental Health Clinic at the Rhode Island Family Court, studies the prevention of high-risk behaviors among adolescents in the juvenile justice and child welfare systems.
At the origin of language structure Subject, verb, object: a triad that in spoken discourse (as well as written) can be arranged in different positions (six, in principle) although in the overwhelming majority of world languages, 86%, they occur in two forms: SVO ("Johnny eats the banana") and SOV ("Johnny the banana eats"). In particular, the latter is the most common and scientific literature supports the hypothesis that it is a basic form, perhaps the first to emerge when a new language or communication system is born. To back this up is the fact that over the course of history many languages have passed from SOV to SVO, but never the other way around.
Dry eyes—researchers report progress in diagnosis and treatment Do you have problems with dry eyes? If so, you're not alone—it's one of the most common reasons for patient visits to eye care professionals. Recent years have seen significant progress in management of patients with dry eyes, according to the September special issue of Optometry and Vision Science, official journal of the American Academy of Optometry.
	Utah man dies from plague in 4th fatal case in US this year (Update) A Utah man in his 70s has died after contracting the plague, bringing to four the number of deaths from the disease reported in the United States this year, health officials said Thursday.
FDA issues warning letters to "natural" tobacco makers The Food and Drug Administration issued warning letters to the makers of Winston, Natural Spirit and Nat Sherman cigarettes over their "additive-free" and "natural" label claims.
Brazil's national oral health policy—an example for other nations Today, the International and American Associations for Dental Research (IADR/AADR) published a Discovery! article titled "10 Years of a National Oral Health Policy in Brazil: Innovation, Boldness and Numerous Challenges." In it, authors Gilberto Alfredo Pucca, Jr., University of Brasília; and Mariana Gabriel, Maria Ercilia de Araujo and Fernanda Campos Sousa de Almeida, University of São Paulo, discuss Brazil's National Policy of Oral Health, also known as "Smiling Brazil."
	Woman gives birth to conjoined twins in Colorado A Colorado hospital where a Minnesota woman gave birth to conjoined twins says one of the babies has died.
Health official: States should post local vaccination info How many kids are vaccinated at your child's school? Federal health officials think you should be able to easily find out.

Biology news

	Researchers demonstrate how gram-negative bacteria deliver toxins to kill neighboring bacteria It's bacteria against bacteria, and one of them is going down.
	Understanding the iliotibial band For many people, it's the source of a nagging—and painful—injury, but for Carolyn Eng, the IT band is an intriguing mystery, one she may be close to solving.
	Researchers find instance of jellyfish benefitting top predators in an ocean ecosystem (Phys.org)—A team of researchers from Japan and the U.S. has found an instance of jellyfish offering a benefit to a top ocean predator. In their paper published in the journal The Royal Society – Biology Letters, the team describes a field study they conducted with diving birds, juvenile fish and jellyfish, and why they believe their findings suggest that the increase in jellyfish populations may not be as harmful as thought.
	What killed Knut the polar bear? Study offers 'closure' Thrust into the spotlight during his short life, Knut the polar bear's celebrity has outlived his dramatic drowning in 2011—as has the medical mystery surrounding his demise.
	The DNA damage response goes viral: A way in for new cancer treatments Every organism—from a seedling to a president—must protect its DNA at all costs, but precisely how a cell distinguishes between damage to its own DNA and the foreign DNA of an invading virus has remained a mystery.
	Circadian genes go to sleep every day at the periphery of the nucleus Mobility between different physical environments in the cell nucleus regulates the daily oscillations in the activity of genes that are controlled by the internal biological clock, according to a study that is published in the journal Molecular Cell. Eventually, these findings may lead to novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of diseases linked with disrupted circadian rhythm.
	Research identifies a protein that helps determine the fate of RNA After it is transcribed from DNA, RNA can go on to many fates. While the most familiar path may lead directly to the production of protein, RNA molecules themselves can also become capable of altering the expression of genes. New research helps explain how the destiny of an RNA sequence is achieved.
	Scientists modify E. coli to cooperate, control protein expression Rice University scientists have made a living circuit from multiple types of bacteria that prompts the bacteria to cooperate to change protein expression.
	Researcher discover songbird habitat affects reproduction, survival A University of Montana professor who studies birds around the world has discovered trends in how the offspring grow, how parents care for the young and how well the young survive based on where they live. Now, his songbird research is hitting the right notes with the journal Science.
	Study shows plant species' genetic responses to climate change A study by the University of Liverpool has found that the genetic diversity of wild plant species could be altered rapidly by anthropogenic climate change.
	Did prehistoric humans shape today's ecosystems? We all know that humans are having a massive impact on the planet.
	Cell mechanics are more complex than previously thought Cell mechanics are considerably more complex than previously thought and may affect cell structures at various levels. This finding is based on a collaborative research project conducted by an international research team from ETH Zurich and University of Tampere, involving Teemu Ihalainen, a postdoctoral researcher at the Academy of Finland. The findings of the team were published in the Nature Materials online publication.
	Who's top dog? New research sorts dominant and submissive canine poses In the first quantitative study on status behaviour in a stable group of domestic dogs, Dutch researchers have identified and categorised dog behaviours most consistently associated with dominance and submission.
	Data backs limits on deep-sea fishing by depth Researchers reporting in the Cell Press journal Current Biology on August 27 have evidence in support of a clearly defined depth limit for deep-sea fishing in Europe. The findings come just as the European Union considers controversial new legislation to manage deep-sea fisheries, including a ban on trawling below 600 meters.
Team shows how dynamin mediates membrane constriction and scission Cells continually form membrane vesicles that are released into the cell. If this vital process is disturbed, nerve cells, for example, cannot communicate with each other. The protein molecule dynamin is essential for the regulated formation and release of many vesicles.
	Team finds the way to generate potentially safer stem cells in the laboratory Damaged tissue, such as pancreas, heart, and neuronal tissue, which is regenerated to treat cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, or neurodegenerative diseases. This is one of the ambitious scenarios to which regenerative medicine aspires and that is being announced as one of the great promises of twenty-first century biomedicine for the treatment of a long list of diseases affecting people today. The focal point is the use of stem cells, which are capable of producing different types of cells or tissue.
	Scientists squabble while Africa's only penguins perish They're cute, knee-high, they bray like donkeys and are a tourist attraction near Cape Town. But African Penguins—the continent's only species of the flightless bird—are at risk of extinction.
	Fishermen discards could increase prevalence of turtle disease in Turks and Caicos Fishermen in the Turks and Caicos Islands could be increasing the local prevalence of a disease that is affecting turtle populations worldwide, by selectively harvesting healthy creatures and throwing back infected animals.
	To track winter flounder, researchers look to ear bones Researchers at the University of New Hampshire are turning to an unusual source —otoliths, the inner ear bones of fish—to identify the nursery grounds of winter flounder, the protected estuaries where the potato chip-sized juveniles grow to adolesence. The research, recently published in the journal Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, could aid the effort to restore plummeting winter flounder populations along the East Coast of the U.S.
	Researchers find way for eagles and wind turbines to coexist Collisions with wind turbines kill about 100 golden eagles a year in some locations, but a new study that maps both potential wind-power sites and nesting patterns of the birds reveals sweet spots, where potential for wind power is greatest with a lower threat to nesting eagles.
Top Mexican chefs take stand against GM corn Top Mexican chefs urged the president Wednesday to join them in their staunch opposition to genetically modified corn in a country where age-old grains are cherished traditions.
	Ag secretary promises more sage grouse spending across West The federal government plans to spend more than $200 million over the next three years on programs to protect greater sage grouse in Western states—regardless of whether the bird receives federal protections, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said.
	Investigating disease risk from Parklands bats New research at the University of Adelaide is studying the bat colony in Adelaide's north-eastern parklands (Botanic Park, not Botanic Gardens) to investigate the diseases they may be carrying, their ecology and where they go at night.
	Remaining panda cub healthy at National Zoo after twin dies Animal keepers say the National Zoo's remaining newborn panda cub is healthy and was active and nursing through the night after the cub's smaller twin died.

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