Science X Newsletter Friday, Nov 20

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Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for November 20, 2015:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- New study shows inhibiting copper chaperones reduces tumor cell proliferation
- Team develops 'electronic plants'
- Quantum entanglement achieved at room temperature in semiconductor wafers
- Study connects mitochondria to psychological stress response and species resilience
- Dental analysis suggests Homo floresiensis was a separate species from modern man
- Supercomputing the strange difference between matter and antimatter
- Supermodel Aussie finches do a sexy DNA swap at hotspots like we do
- A mystery that settled in stone
- Glider pilots aim for the stratosphere
- New detector perfect for asteroid mining, planetary research
- Inflammation linked to weakened reward circuits in depression
- Addition of sugars plays a key developmental role in distantly related plants
- Polarization vision gives fiddler crabs the edge in detecting rivals
- Export of wood pellets from US to EU more environmentally friendly than coal
- A whiff from blue-green algae likely responsible for Earth's oxygen

Astronomy & Space news

	The universe's resolution limit—why we may never have a perfect view of distant galaxies Can you make out the dot at the bottom of this question mark? What if you stand a few metres away? The finest detail the average human eye can distinguish is about the size of a full stop seen at a distance of a metre. This is called "resolution". The best resolution for an optical system – like the eye – is roughly given by the ratio of the wavelength of the light you're viewing in and the size of the aperture that light is passing through.
	Ghostly and beautiful—"planetary nebulae" get more meaningful physical presence A way of estimating more accurate distances to the thousands of so-called planetary nebulae dispersed across our Galaxy has been announced by a team of three astronomers based at the University of Hong Kong: Dr David Frew, Prof Quentin Parker and Dr Ivan Bojicic. The scientists publish their results in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
	New detector perfect for asteroid mining, planetary research The grizzled asteroid miner is a stock character in science fiction. Now, a couple of recent events - one legal and the other technological - have brought asteroid mining a step closer to reality.
	New satellite to measure plant health ESA plans to track the health of the world's vegetation by detecting and measuring the faint glow that plants give off as they convert sunlight and the atmosphere's carbon dioxide into energy.

Technology news

	Team develops 'electronic plants' Researchers at Linköping University in Sweden have created analog and digital electronics circuits inside living plants. The group at the Laboratory of Organic Electronics (LOE), under the leadership of Professor Magnus Berggren, have used the vascular system of living roses to build key components of electronic circuits.
	The 2016 Chevrolet Volt gets top Green Car of Year honors The 2016 Chevrolet Volt has won the Green Car Journal Green Car of the Year award. The honor venue was the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show.
	At the nanoscale, concrete proves effective for nuclear containment One of the main challenges faced by the nuclear industry is the long-term confinement of nuclear waste. Concrete is one of the barrier materials commonly used to contain radionuclides, both in nuclear reactors and nuclear waste-storing facilities. For this reason, it is extremely important that researchers and industry professionals understand the chemical and structural stability of cement (the basic binding ingredient in concrete) containing radioactive materials.
	Glider pilots aim for the stratosphere Talk about serendipity. Einar Enevoldson was strolling past a scientist's office in 1991 when he noticed a freshly printed image tacked to the wall. He was thunderstruck; it showed faint particles in the sky that proved something he had long believed:
	Review: Samsung's Gear VR shows the promise of VR—today Samsung makes history of a sort Friday by launching the first major consumer-oriented virtual-reality headset. (It comes with an asterisk; prototypes and other not-quite-mass-market versions have been available for a while.) And its Gear VR headset is pretty impressive as first-generation devices go.
South Korea considers opt out for child monitoring app South Korea is deciding whether it will allow parents to opt out of installing a monitoring app on their children's smartphones following criticism the system encourages a surveillance culture and has security flaws.
	Square and Match shares jump in stock market debuts Square and Match galloped onto Wall Street on Thursday in a sign that tech startups may still find gold in public markets.
	VMWare co-founder takes charge of Google cloud business Google said Thursday that a VMWare founder was taking charge of its cloud computing business as it looks to close ground on rivals such as Amazon and Microsoft.
	Pressure for Yahoo turnaround puts squeeze on Mayer Lack of a long-awaited turnaround at Yahoo has put pressure on chief executive Marissa Mayer to prove she has what it takes to revive the faded Internet pioneer.
Smart camera tech that could automate cars, home, security settings A startup that licenses Purdue University technology has created a deep-learning camera and hardware package that can be taught to recognize objects or perform tasks that could be used in security, automotive, industrial and defense applications.
	VW weighs finances as it prepares to present US engines fix Volkswagen's board is discussing the automaker's future financial strategy in the wake of its emissions-rigging scandal, and was due to present to U.S. authorities later Friday its plan to fix the affected diesel engines.
Cybersecurity expert analyzes Anonymous' hacking attacks on ISIS Following tragic terrorist attacks committed by ISIS agents in Paris last week, the online hacker group Anonymous declared in a video that it would launch a cyber-attack on ISIS.
	How interactive documentaries represent a new form of innovation in digital journalism From the advent of the printing press to the emergence of photography, radio, television, and now the Internet and mobile devices, journalists have always found ways to adapt to new technologies by changing the way they tell stories and reach audiences. Interactive and participatory documentaries offer a new opportunity in that development. They provide immersive, visual, and mobile-friendly storytelling techniques; provoke creative collaborations across institutions, "desks" and with publics; and stimulate the use of often overlooked assets such as archives. By so doing, they provide an array of solutions for journalistic institutions that wish to reach a new generation of users and make use of today's technological developments.
	SwRI's RANGER localization technology allows precise automated driving Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has developed RANGER, a patented approach to vehicle localization that enables precise navigation for automated vehicles. R&D Magazine recently recognized RANGER as one of the 100 most significant innovations for 2015.
	Are we ready for a world even more connected in the Internet of Things? Imagine a world that is even more connected technologically than ours today.
	Depth-sensing technology enhances games Three new games use Intel RealSense camera to pull players into intuitive, immersive and surreal experiences.
	Hardened steels for more efficient engines Scientists of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) are working on the development of a new process for hardening steel: With the help of methylamine, they enrich low-alloy steels with carbon and nitrogen. Low-pressure carbonitration with methylamine saves time and process gas. The steels hardened in this way are suited for use in components subjected to high mechanical and thermal loads in energy-efficient and low-emission engines of the future. The researchers present their process in the HTM - Journal of Heat Treatment and Materials.
	What police can learn from a terrorist's discarded mobile phone The dramatic raid on an apartment in the Paris suburb of Saint Denis that left two dead and eight arrested followed the discovery of a mobile phone by police that was discarded by the terrorists who days earlier had launched their bloody attack. It's understood that the data police were able to extract from the phone led them to the apartment where others of the gang were hiding.
	Volkswagen cutting investments, to present US engine fixes Volkswagen will cut its spending by 1 billion euros ($1.07 billion) next year and "strictly prioritize" investments as it shores up its finances to deal with its emissions-rigging scandal, CEO Matthias Mueller said Friday after a board meeting.
	Review: LG V10 has two screens, two selfie cameras and more Android phones are a dime a dozen. How can any of them really stand out from the crowd?
UPS and FedEx try every tech trick to speed up deliveries Around 8 a.m. at a cavernous warehouse outside Pittsburgh recently, about four dozen delivery drivers for United Parcel Service got their first look at the scheduled drop-offs for the day.
Charter Communications tiptoes into video streaming Very quietly, Charter Communications has been poking a toe into the online video streaming business.
Lyft on track to bring in $1 billion revenue this year, exec says Like the tortoise and the hare, on-demand transportation company Lyft is slowly but steadily gaining ground on its biggest competitor, Uber.
	Review: BlackBerry's keyboard not enough to make it stand out in Android pack BlackBerry, the longtime device maker that helped pioneer the smartphone market but is now struggling to stay relevant, has done what previously might have been considered unthinkable.
Starwood Hotels reveals North America cyber intrusion Starwood Hotels, which operates the Sheraton and Westin chains, said Friday that hackers had infected payment systems in some of its establishments, potentially leaking customer credit card data.
	Tesla recalling all Model S sedans for seat belt issue Tesla Motors is recalling its entire fleet of Model S sedans to check their front seat belts after one passenger's seat belt became disconnected.
	EPA says VW cheating software may be on more vehicles Volkswagen's emissions cheating scandal widened Friday as the Environmental Protection Agency said that software allowing six-cylinder Volkswagen diesel engines to cheat on pollution tests is on more models than originally thought.
Low carbon materials to capture the imagination of homebuilders and owners Innovation in the construction industry will play an important role in reducing emissions and improving energy efficiency, though developing new materials and methods is only half the battle. Convincing architects and homeowners of the performance and long-term financial benefits of a new product presents a significant challenge.
	Opinion: Anonymous takes on Islamic State and that's not a good thing It's been a week since the terrorist attacks in Paris and the hacktivist group Anonymous has further expanded its online confrontation with the Islamic State (IS). Its campaign was originally captured under the #OpISIS banner, but is now titled #OpParis.
	Opinion: After Paris, it's traditional detective work that will keep us safe, not mass surveillance Before the dust has even settled from the attacks on Paris, familiar calls for greater surveillance powers are surfacing. The desire for greater security is understandable, but that doesn't mean we should suspend our judgement on the measures proposed to bring it about.
Brad Smith, Intuit CEO, on selling Quicken It's tough to part with an icon, but according to Intuit CEO Brad Smith, it was time. In August, Smith and his board bit the bullet and put their legacy personal finance program Quicken up for sale.

Medicine & Health news

	Study connects mitochondria to psychological stress response and species resilience (Medical Xpress)—Mitochondria are symbiotic organelles that reside in most of the body's cells and power cellular functions. They contain their own DNA, called mtDNA, and they produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which transports energy within cells. Mitochondria have a number of additional biological functions, and there is evidence that the mitochondrion influences an organism's integrated response to psychological stress.
	First-in-man use of virtual reality imaging in cardiac cath lab to treat blocked coronary artery Virtual reality (VR) has potential to revolutionize some aspects of medicine and healthcare. Several medical specialties are already using it to train physicians and assist diagnosis and it also has potential for treatment. A group of cardiologists has now successfully used a VR device to guide the opening up (revascularization) of a chronically blocked right coronary artery. Their report is published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology.
	The search for happiness: Using MRI to find where happiness happens Japanese researchers have mapped out using MRI where happiness emerges in the brain. The study, published in Scientific Reports, paves the way for measuring happiness objectively—and also provides insights on a neurologically based way of being happy.
	New tool offers unprecedented insight into brain electrical activity (Medical Xpress)—A team of researchers at Stanford University has announced the development of a new tool that they claim will offer unprecedented insight into the actions of neurons inside a living creature. In their paper published in the journal Science the team outlines how the tool works and how they believe it might be used with future research efforts. Emily Underwood, a staff writer with the journal, offers an 'In Depth' piece on the work done by the team in same issue.
	Inflammation linked to weakened reward circuits in depression About one third of people with depression have high levels of inflammation markers in their blood. New research indicates that persistent inflammation affects the brain in ways that are connected with stubborn symptoms of depression, such as anhedonia, the inability to experience pleasure.
Artificial pancreas therapy performs well in pilot study Researchers are reporting a breakthrough toward developing an artificial pancreas as a treatment for diabetes and other conditions by combining mechanical artificial pancreas technology with transplantation of islet cells, which produce insulin.
British hospitals face serious shortage of liver specialists Fewer than one in three hospitals employ a full-time doctor who specialises in liver medicine, according to a survey of 144 hospitals in the UK. The results - published as part of a new report examining progress since The Lancet Commission on Addressing Liver Disease in the UK was published in 2014 - suggest that staffing levels for liver specialists are worryingly low in some regions, and that patient outcomes may be suffering as a result.
	ADHD meds may be a prescription for bullying Kids and teens who take medications like Ritalin to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder are twice as likely to be physically or emotionally bullied by peers than those who don't have ADHD, a new University of Michigan study found.
	High school Sex Ed teaching 'Yes means yes' rape prevention This is the new look of high school sex ed: A roomful of teens, 14-year-olds mostly, is told that a girl and boy meet at a school dance. The boy drives her home. They kiss. What happens next, over the girl's protests, leaves him confused and her crying, no longer a virgin.
	A cellular symphony responsible for autoimmune disease Broad core member Aviv Regev thinks about the immune system as if it were an orchestra: "Some instruments need to play strong, others need to pull back or push forward. It all has to form a harmony and this harmony changes with time," she said. "Everything has to know its role and it has to be orchestrated—except you don't have a conductor."
	Fussy baby? Research shows singing works better than persuasive rhetoric When it comes to keeping your baby calm, a song does a much better job than speech.
	Children's developing concept of truth and lies and the implications for child witness testimony Recently, Dr. Victoria Talwar's 4-year-old was caught standing in suspicious circumstances. He was hiding behind the pantry door, but when questioned about what he was doing, he took on an air of complete innocence. "Were you eating one of the cookies?" –one of the forbidden cookies that he had been told he could not have. The 4-year-old shook his head "No!" but there was a chocolate smear around his lips. When questioned about these marks on his face, the 4-year-old paused and his mind feverishly searched for a reply. Finally, the answer came in a sigh "Dirt! I'm just dirty mummy!" Although Dr. Talwar did not smile then, she had to chuckle later. Playing out in her kitchen was a scene she has seen a thousand times before in her research lab at McGill.
	Influenza vaccine had no affect on fetal mortality risk A fresh study from Karolinska Institutet can quell any fears there might be of an increased risk of fetal and neonatal mortality for mothers who have been inoculated with the Pandemrix vaccine for H1N1-influensa while pregnant. The results are published in British Medical Journal (BMJ).
	Scientists unexpectedly find ALS affects sensory neurons involved in movement The same nerves that keep a person from crushing a flower or dropping a water glass are teaching scientists something new about amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Poorer areas need better access to mental healthcare People who live in poorer areas in England are more likely to need mental healthcare but are less likely to access support and to recover from their symptoms following treatment, according to researchers at the University of York.
	Exposure to toxic stress in childhood linked to risky behavior and adult disease How a mother responds to her baby's cries can make a big difference in the child's ability to learn, develop, and thrive. While a warm, supportive response can help the baby calm down and feel secure, a distant or angry reaction leaves the child to fend for herself in a scary world. Over time, the lack of nurturing in the face of adversity in childhood can contribute to "toxic stress"—a harmful level of stress that can affect the child's well-being well into adulthood.
	What is Lewy body dementia, which robbed robin williams of his sanity? Oscar-winning actor and comedian Robin Williams died in August 2014 of suicide. His death was not due to substance abuse or suicidal tendencies, as some had speculated in the media. Williams' wife, Susan, told ABC's "Good Morning America" this month that her husband slowly lost his mind because of a neurological disease, later discovered in an autopsy to be Lewy body dementia.
	Potential way to control cholesterol levels via dying cells A discovery about how the body deals with the cholesterol contained within its dying cells has suggested an exciting new approach to control people's cholesterol levels – and thus their risk of developing heart disease.
	Do you share more genes with your mother or your father? Many of your relatives probably have an answer to the question of whether you are more your mother or your father's child. But the correct answer to the question is not as simple as it might seem.
	Personalized drug screening on horizon for multiple ​myeloma patients​​​​ A personalized method for testing the effectiveness of drugs that treat multiple myeloma may predict quickly and more accurately the best treatments for individual patients with the bone marrow cancer. The process, developed by scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, also may aid patients with leukemia or lymphoma.
	Anxiety increases error, but not bias, in facial recognition While people in a state of anxiety make more mistakes trying to recognise faces, they don't show an increased ethnic bias, according to research which debunks a commonly-held belief.
	Could a questionnaire identify hearing loss? Twice as many people living in rural areas suffer hearing difficulties compared to urban residents, due to excessive noise exposure from agricultural industries.
	Researchers identify molecular link between schizophrenia and diabetes risk It has long been known that psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, have been associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes. In a new study published online in The FASEB Journal, a UMass Medical School research team, led by Rita Bortell, PhD, research professor of molecular medicine and Agata Jurczyk, PhD, instructor in molecular medicine, found that a shared gene (or genes) may underlie the co-occurrence of both diseases. Mutations in Disrupted in Schizophrenia 1 (DISC1) have been strongly associated with major psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, but not diabetes. This study presented the first evidence to indicate that the DISC1 gene also plays a novel, unexpected role in pancreatic beta cell survival and function. It is also the first to provide a molecular link for a prevalence of type 2 diabetes in individuals with psychiatric disorders.
High frequency stimulation in pain medicine Due to disease-related changes in their brain, pain patients often suffer from an impaired tactile ability in their hands. In a pilot study conducted by scientists at the Ruhr-University Bochum, high frequency repetitive stimulation was investigated as a therapeutic approach for these patients. The results of this study have now been published in the journal Frontiers in Neurology. They show that passive stimulation of this kind is a promising new therapy option.
	NICE endorsed tool launched to support patients and doctors in shared decision-making People with atrial fibrillation (AF) are set to benefit from an innovative online decision support tool launched this week. The tool encourages partnership between them and their healthcare professional when reaching a decision about the use of anticoagulant medicines to reduce their risk of stroke.
	How your genes influence what medicines are right for you You have a headache. Do you reach for Tylenol or Advil? Most people have a preference because they have learned over time that one works better than the other at relieving their pain. This type of variability from person to person is true for nearly every medication, whether it requires a prescription or can be purchased over the counter.
	AAFP: telemedicine can enhance access to care (HealthDay)—Ways in which technology can enhance patient care were shared at a recent American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) State Legislative Conference.
	E-portfolio developed to assess millennial med students (HealthDay)—Electronic portfolios are being used to transform medical students' assessments and track progress as students advance through medical training, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
	Most IV HTN meds ordered for patients with SBP <180 mm hg (HealthDay)—Intravenous (IV) antihypertensives are often ordered and administered for patients with asymptomatic uncontrolled blood pressure (BP) levels that are not associated with immediate cardiovascular risk, according to a study published online Nov. 12 in the Journal of Hospital Medicine.
Decreasing mental health services increases mental health emergencies Countywide reductions in psychiatric services—both inpatient and outpatient—led to more than triple the number of emergency psychiatric consults and 55 percent increases in lengths of stay for psychiatric patients in the emergency department. The before and after study of the impact of decreasing county mental health services was published online Friday in Annals of Emergency Medicine ('Impact of Decreasing County Mental Health Services on the Emergency Medicine').
Technology meets society: New app helps seniors live better A new technological solution developed by researchers from the University of Notre Dame is aimed at enhancing the physical health, vitality and brain fitness of seniors residing in independent living communities.
	Tumor-suppressor p53 regulates protein that stifles immune attack on cancer A crucial tumor-thwarting gene protects an immune attack against lung cancer by blocking the key to an off switch on T cells, the customized warriors of the immune system, a team led by researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center reports in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
	Can stem cell technology be harnessed to generate biological pacemakers? Although today's pacemakers are lifesaving electronic devices, they are limited by their artificial nature. For example, their parts can fail or they can become infected. In addition, the devices require regular maintenance, must be replaced periodically, and can only approximate the natural regulation of a heartbeat. A Review article published on November 20 in Trends in Molecular Medicine highlights the promise and limitations of new methods based on stem cell and reprogramming technologies to generate biological pacemakers that might one day replace electronic pacemakers.
	Traditional eye exams using lighted, hand-held instruments now done infrequently; Valuable information may be missed For more than 150 years, physicians have examined patients' eyes with a lighted, hand-held instrument called an ophthalmoscope.
	New patent paves way for breast cancer prevention George Mason University researchers have patented a new breast cancer treatment that uses a common malaria drug to stop cancer in its beginning stages.
Nepal facing 'medical crisis' as supplies run short Bindu Ghimire's chemotherapy appointment is approaching, but supplies of the drugs the 61-year-old desperately needs are in short supply as a political crisis in her native Nepal deepens.
Three new confirmed cases in previously Ebola-free Liberia: WHO (Update) Three new cases of the deadly Ebola virus have been confirmed in Liberia, the country's health ministry and World Health Organization said Friday, after the nation was declared Ebola free in September.
Study reveals extent of addictions in Alberta Addictions directly affect up to one in five Albertan adults. They involve alcohol, gambling, legal and illicit drugs and a variety of other substances and types of behaviour.
	Examining health needs and drug use in Edmonton's inner city Over the years, Shelley Williams has witnessed the negative effects of drug use on the health of Edmontonians.
	Clinical trial in trauma patients to evaluate drug that stops excessive bleeding​ In trauma patients experiencing severe bleeding, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis will evaluate a drug already approved to minimize blood loss in people suffering from hemophilia—a genetic clotting disorder—or heavy menstrual periods.
Infertility a common problem for Otago-Southland women Infertility is common amongst women aged 25–50 years in the south of New Zealand and significant health resources go towards helping them become mothers, new University of Otago research suggests.
Tiotropium/olodaterol in COPD: Disadvantages in some patients, advantages in others The fixed-dose combination of tiotropium and olodaterol (trade name: Spiolto Respimat) has been approved since July 2015 for maintenance treatment in adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) examined in a dossier assessment whether this drug combination offers an added benefit over the appropriate comparator therapy.
WIC program usage reviewed in new interim report Women and children who participate in the WIC program have low or inadequate intakes of several key nutrients that could be addressed with changes to the program's food packages, says a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The report is the first in a two-phase study that reviews the current food packages in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. This interim report presents a series of findings and conclusions and establishes a set of criteria and a framework that will guide the second phase of the study in which changes to the WIC food packages will be considered. Recommendations for the food packages will be presented in the study's final report, which will build upon the 2006 Institute of Medicine report WIC Food Packages: A Time for Change.
New York launches campaign in drive against K2 "Zero percent marijuana, 100 percent dangerous."
	Obama administration sets stage for a debate on drug costs The Obama administration set the stage Friday for a national debate on the rising cost of prescription drugs, a pressing issue for voters but one that's unlikely to see quick solutions under a lame-duck president facing an opposition Congress.

Biology news

	The cuckoo sheds new light on the scientific mystery of bird migration The cuckoo is not only capable of finding its way from unknown locations; it does this through a highly complex individual decision making process. Such skills have never before been documented in migratory birds. A new study shows that navigation in migratory birds is even more complex than previously assumed. The Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate at the University of Copenhagen led the study with the use of miniature satellite tracking technology.
	Half of all Amazonian tree species may be globally threatened More than half of all tree species in the world's most diverse forest—the Amazon—may be globally threatened, according to a new study.
	Supermodel Aussie finches do a sexy DNA swap at hotspots like we do When we mammals produce egg and sperm, our chromosomes like to swap bits of DNA so that our children actually possess new genetic combinations, helping to keep our genetics diverse and our species healthy. These DNA swapping events tend to occur in 'hotspots' in mammals because of a protein called PRDM9 that assists the swapping process in these areas. Now, an international study with Macquarie researchers, being published in the journal Science, has found that two different species of Australian finch share similar DNA swapping hotspots as well, even though they lack the PRDM9 protein.
	Tomato domestication decelerated the circadian clock All organisms, from bacteria to humans, exhibit endogenous rhythms controlled by the circadian clock. These rhythms are important for synchronization with the environment. Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research in Cologne were able to show that the circadian clock of the cultivated tomato slowed during domestication. This deceleration is likely an adaptation to the long summer days that the cultivated species encountered as it was carried away from the equator.
	Addition of sugars plays a key developmental role in distantly related plants Adding a spoonful of sugar to coffee makes it sweeter, but in plants, researchers have discovered, the addition of sugar molecules to particular proteins plays a surprising variety of roles in basic developmental processes.
	Polarization vision gives fiddler crabs the edge in detecting rivals Fiddler crabs use polarization vision to sense the approach of rivals, scientists at the University of Bristol have found. The research, carried out in Panama, is the first field-based evidence that animals use polarization vision to enhance the detection of objects.
	Spread of Panama disease in banana caused by one single clone of the Fusarium fungus Scientists at Wageningen University have demonstrated that the same clone of the Fusarium fungus is infecting Cavendish bananas in several countries dotted across the globe. This shows that this Fusarium clone, also known as Tropical Race 4, is continuing to spread despite the quarantine measures, with disastrous results for banana growers. The results from the research appeared today in the scientific journal PLOS Pathogens.
	Students search the soil for new antibiotics We're running out of effective antibiotics, and people are starting to die as a result. The problem is so acute that the World Health Organization has declared this week, Nov. 16-22, Antibiotics Awareness Week – but antibiotic discovery is still lagging.
	Shaping contraction You were once a hollow shell. To sculpt that hollow ball into an organism with layers of internal organs, muscle and skin, portions of that embryonic 'shell' folded inwards. The same happens to fruit fly embryos, and researchers at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg, Germany, have now identified a particular group of cells which are crucial for the first such fold. They also showed for the first time that the shape in which cells are arranged determines the direction in which they contract. Published today in Developmental Cell, the findings were obtained thanks to a new technique in which the scientists use a laser as a remote control.
	How fast you move can predict how healthy you'll be Instead of focusing on drawing out the length of life, South Korea's IBS Center for Plant Aging Research and the research group led by Coleen Murphy, a professor at Princeton University have created a tool that can be used for accurately predicting lifespan as well as assessing the current health state, and discovered the regulatory mechanism that extends "healthspan", the time in which an organism is at its optimal health.
	Surprising signal to control male fertility Signaling molecules of the Wnt family are ubiquitous in biology. From cnidaria to man, they are responsible for forming the basic shape of all organisms. Without Wnt, our body would not have a top or bottom, front or rear. In addition, Wnt controls numerous other development processes in the body. Overly active Wnt signaling, on the other hand, promotes carcinogenesis.
Scientists to feds: Great Lakes wolves not endangered Gray wolf populations in Michigan and other Great Lakes states have recovered to the point they no longer should be considered an endangered species. That message came Wednesday not from hunting groups but from 26 scientists - many having advocated for the wolves' protection in years past.
	Research ushers in new era of boutique chocolate A team of Belgian researchers has shown that the yeasts used to ferment cocoa during chocolate production can modify the aroma of the resulting chocolate. "This makes it possible to create a whole range of boutique chocolates to match everyone's favorite flavor, similar to wines, tea, and coffee," says Jan Steensels, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Leuven, and the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology, Belgium.
	New Atlas charts Kenya's natural assets The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of the Government of Kenya enlisted support from a consortium of National and international experts and researchers, including ecologists from the University of York, to produce the first Biodiversity Atlas of the Natural Capital for Kenya.
University investigates acute horse disease University of Adelaide researchers are investigating the potential causes of a mystery illness which suddenly struck down 14 horses across South Australia last year, eight of them fatally.
Review examines the extent of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria from horses Bacterial resistance to antimicrobial agents is a significant problem for both human and veterinary medicine, but little research has been done on the prevalence or mechanisms of resistance in horses and other companion animals, and how such resistance might impact human health.

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