Science X Newsletter Friday, Nov 6

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for November 6, 2015:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Observed cosmic rays may have come from two-million-year-old supernova
- Researchers take two big steps toward quantum computing
- Unusual polyketide metabolites found to give potato rotting bacteria ability to live in an oxygen-rich environment
- Structure and configuration of Jurassic pigments reveal unique naturally-occurring boron metabolites
- Protein movement of hair bundles in the inner ear may preserve hearing for life
- What makes a leader? Clues from the animal kingdom
- People attribute moral obligation and blame, regardless of ability
- Professor to unveil self-levitating displays (w/ Video)
- Microbot Push allows for remotely pushing buttons or flipping switches
- The largest to have existed—giant rat fossils
- Cellular stress process identified in cardiovascular disease
- Lytro Immerge light field camera offers focus on cinematic VR
- New clues to how gatekeeper for the cell nucleus works
- New Horizons completes record-setting Kuiper Belt targeting maneuvers
- Looking for deliberate radio signals from KIC 8462852

Astronomy & Space news

	Observed cosmic rays may have come from two-million-year-old supernova (Phys.org)—High-energy protons, nuclei, and other particles are constantly showering down on Earth's atmosphere from space, but the origins of these cosmic rays is unknown. One possibility is that the cosmic rays come from supernovae, although the evidence for this claim is limited. Now by analyzing the cosmic ray energy spectrum, scientists have been able to deduce that some high-energy cosmic rays may have originated from a two-million-year-old supernova located roughly 100 trillion miles away.
	Spacewalkers encounter leaking ammonia, spoils radiator work (Update 3) Spacewalking astronauts encountered leaking ammonia and minor glove damage while performing plumbing work outside the International Space Station on Friday, then fell so far behind that they had to leave a radiator job undone.
	Deserts and dunes—Earth as an analogue for Titan By comparing radar images of areas on Titan to those of Earth's deserts, scientists have identified two distinct types of sand dune on Saturn's largest moon – and discovered eroded structures that indicate that Titan's climate may have once been very different.
	Gaia's sensors scan a lunar transit Located 1.5 million km from the Earth, ESA's Gaia spacecraft is scanning the sky to conduct the most detailed census of stars in our Galaxy. However, on 6 November, it will be perfectly placed to witness a rare event that will involve objects much closer to home – a lunar transit across the Sun.
	Unlocking the mysteries of 'little starlets' For the first time a powerful laser has been used to further our understanding of some of the most mysterious celestial objects just beyond the solar system - brown dwarfs.
	Swift spacecraft spots its thousandth gamma-ray burst NASA's Swift spacecraft has detected its 1,000th gamma-ray burst (GRB). GRBs are the most powerful explosions in the universe, typically associated with the collapse of a massive star and the birth of a black hole.
	Looking for deliberate radio signals from KIC 8462852 Could there be intelligent life in the star system KIC 8462852? A recent analysis of data collected by the Kepler space telescope has shown that this star, informally known as Tabby's Star, evidences aperiodic dimming of 20 percent and more. While several natural explanations for this strong change in luminosity have been proposed, one possibility is that a technologically adept civilization has built megastructures in orbit around star, causing the dimming.
	New Horizons completes record-setting Kuiper Belt targeting maneuvers NASA's New Horizons spacecraft has successfully performed the last in a series of four targeting maneuvers that set it on course for a January 2019 encounter with 2014 MU69. This ancient body in the Kuiper Belt is more than a billion miles beyond Pluto; New Horizons will explore it if NASA approves an extended mission.
	Russian women finish test on space flight confinement After emerging from an eight-day space simulation on Friday, the all-female Russian crew said they had missed their loved ones in the experiment more than they missed the comforts of regular life.
	It's not rocket science—we need a better way to get to space Human beings will always be explorers. We've pretty well surveyed our planet, our tiny blue dot, for answers and only found more questions. Why are we here? How did we get here? What does it mean?
	GMRT discovers a dying, giant radio galaxy 9 billion light years away A team of astronomers working at the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA, TIFR), Pune have discovered, using the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT), an extremely rare galaxy of gigantic size. This galaxy—located about 9 billion light years away towards the constellation Cetus—emits powerful radio waves and has an end to end extent of a whopping 4 million light years! Such galaxies with extremely large 'radio size' are appropriately called giant radio galaxies.
UK astronaut dreams of heavenly Christmas pudding Brushing off any last-minute nerves, Britain's first astronaut to the International Space Station (ISS) insists he is more concerned about his out-of-this-world Christmas dinner than potential disaster.
	How long is a day on Earth? I'm going to ask you how long a day is on Earth, and you're going to get the haunting suspicion that this is a trap. Your instincts are right, it's a trap! The answer may surprise you.

Technology news

	Toyota invests $1 billion in artificial intelligence in US Toyota is investing $1 billion in a research company it's setting up in Silicon Valley to develop artificial intelligence and robotics, underlining the Japanese automaker's determination to lead in futuristic cars that drive themselves and apply the technology to other areas of daily life.
	New 'RevoMaker' creates working products straight from 3-D printer A new system allows a 3-D printer to produce functioning products with enclosed electronic and motorized components and customized devices such as a computer mouse molded to a user's hand.
	Amplifying—or removing—visual variation At the Siggraph Asia conference this week, MIT researchers presented a pair of papers describing techniques for either magnifying or smoothing out small variations in digital images.
	Eye-tracking research reveals which types of visuals actually get the message across Spend 10 minutes on social media, and you'll learn that people love infographics. But why, exactly, do we gravitate towards articles with titles like "24 Diagrams to Help You Eat Healthier" and "All You Need To Know About Beer In One Chart"? Do they actually serve their purpose of not only being memorable, but actually helping us comprehend and retain information?
	Microbot Push allows for remotely pushing buttons or flipping switches Naran, a Korean startup has created some buzz with the development of a device called the Microbot Push—it allows for turning legacy devices on or off remotely without having to reconfigure them. Naran has announced that it plans to launch an Indiegogo project on November 9th to help bring the device to market.
	Professor to unveil self-levitating displays (w/ Video) An interactive swarm of flying 3D pixels (voxels) developed at Queen's University's Human Media Lab is set to revolutionize the way people interact with virtual reality. The system, called BitDrones, allows users to explore virtual 3D information by interacting with physical self-levitating building blocks.
	Lytro Immerge light field camera offers focus on cinematic VR Lytro has announced its "Immerge" as the world's first professional Light Field solution for cinematic VR. The company said it provides presence for live action VR through six degrees of freedom in a live action environment.
	French tests on VW cars 'show pollution cheating' Environment Minister Segolene Royal said Friday initial French tests had shown emissions cheating in Volkswagen group vehicles, but cars from other brands were in the clear.
China state-owned firm to build $15 bn chip plant A state-owned Chinese company said Friday it plans to pour nearly $15 billion into a giant memory chip factory, as Beijing seeks to create homegrown semiconductor champions to reduce reliance on foreign technology.
	Square IPO is warning to tech 'unicorns' (Update) Mobile payments startup Square said Friday it will raise up to $403 million in its stock offering—but it may be valued less on Wall Street than by private investors.
	Driverless cars will change the way we think of car ownership The transition to fully driverless cars is still several years away, but vehicle automation has already started to change the way we are thinking about transportation, and it is set to disrupt business models throughout the automotive industry.
	Thin walls with potentially fatal consequences Given the choice between safer and cheaper construction, many housing design companies in earthquake-prone developing countries see themselves forced to save on expensive construction materials and opt for the latter. EPFL structural engineers have gathered new data on how these structures respond to earthquakes, and in which circumstances they may fail.
	Smart helmets save lives, improve rides As technological advancements enable people to run faster, ride farther and hit harder, experts are using sensors to collect data that could reduce head trauma incidents for football, hockey, cycling and other sports.
	Researchers design and patent a low-cost offshore wind turbine Researchers at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) have designed and patented a floating platform for offshore wind turbines that can reduce energy costs to 12 euro cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) through a more efficient design and cheaper building materials.
	Review: Three Android phones that offer something different New Android phones appear with regularity, but far too few of them really seem ... new.
	New York Times turns to virtual reality The New York Times has taken its first step into virtual reality, launching a new app and distributing a Google cardboard viewer that offers "a new form of story telling."
	Activision planning 'Call of Duty' film, 'Skylanders' show Activision Blizzard Inc. is moving deeper into the film and TV business.

Medicine & Health news

	Vitamin C halts growth of aggressive forms of colorectal cancer in preclinical study High levels of vitamin C kill certain kinds of colorectal cancers in cell cultures and mice, according to a new study from Weill Cornell Medicine investigators. The findings suggest that scientists could one day harness vitamin C to develop targeted treatments.
	Why combined therapies increase survival in prostate cancer Researchers at Karolinska Institutet, SciLifeLab and Centre for Clinical Research, Västerås have been able to explain why a combination of castration therapy and radiation therapy increases survival rates for patients with prostate cancer, compared to if they only receive radiation therapy. The findings, which are presented in the journal Science Translational Medicine, show that castration therapy impairs the DNA-repair machinery of the cancer cells, making them more sensitive to radiation.
	People attribute moral obligation and blame, regardless of ability New research from the University of Waterloo debunks the age-old moral philosophy that if you are unable to do something, then you are not morally obligated to do it.
	Protein movement of hair bundles in the inner ear may preserve hearing for life Hearing is made possible when hair bundles protruding from the tops of hair cells capture the energy of sound waves, converting them into electrical signals that stimulate the auditory nerve to the brain. These hair bundles are made up of individual hair-like projections, or stereocilia, which sway in unison with other stereocilia, and remain permanently with us throughout our lives. Extremely loud noise can force whipsaw motion of the stereocilia, causing them to be damaged and the resulting hearing loss to be permanent. The prevailing theory had been that these hair bundles were made up of cellular scaffolding proteins that do not change or circulate.
	Cellular stress process identified in cardiovascular disease Combining the investigative tools of genetics, transcriptomics, epigenetics and metabolomics, a Duke Medicine research team has identified a new molecular pathway involved in heart attacks and death from heart disease.
	Researchers uncover diverse subtypes of serotonin-producing neurons It used to be enough to call a serotonergic neuron a serotonergic neuron.
	Your DNA may explain high-calorie food cravings (HealthDay)—Can't resist high-fat, sugary foods? Your genetic makeup may be to blame.
	Many US women gain too much weight while pregnant: study (HealthDay News) —A large number of American mothers-to-be gain more weight than is good for them or their baby, federal health officials reported Thursday.
New study projects considerable public health impact for RTS,S malaria vaccine The researchers found that over a 15 year time horizon, an average of 116,500 cases of clinical malaria disease and 484 deaths would be averted for every 100,000 children vaccinated under a four-dose schedule of immunizations at 6, 7.5, 9 and 27 months of age. This translates to approximately 1.2 cases averted per vaccinated child and one malaria death averted for every 200 children vaccinated. These data apply to children living in regions of Africa that experience moderate to high malaria transmission—countries where prevalence rates for the most deadly malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, range from 10 to 65 percent—and assumes a vaccine coverage rate at fourth dose of approximately 70%.
Iron supplementation: When less is really more Anaemia is often the result of an iron deficiency. In such cases the patients, who are typically female, will be prescribed iron supplements to be taken daily. In cases of severe deficiency, the dosage is increased to several tablets a day.
Genetic modification shows promise for preventing hereditary hearing loss A mitochondrial defect is responsible for a type of human hereditary deafness that worsens over time and can lead to profound hearing loss. Using a genetically-modified mice model with a mitochondrial dysfunction that results in a similar premature hearing loss, researchers showed that precise genetic reduction of an enzyme, AMP kinase (AMPK), can rescue the hearing loss. Their results are reported in the American Journal of Pathology.
	Sunday GP appointments unlikely to meet patient needs Sunday GP appointments are unlikely to meet the needs of patients - according to a new report from the University of East Anglia.
Designer cells reverse baby girl's cancer in world first A one-year-old girl in Britain has become the first in the world to be treated with "designer" immune cells genetically engineered to reverse her cancer, doctors said Thursday.
	Better options for people with treatment-resistant schizophrenia In real-world settings, patients with schizophrenia whose symptoms do not respond to standard antipsychotic medications have better outcomes if they are switched to clozapine instead of another standard antipsychotic. They have fewer hospitalizations, stay on the new medication longer, and are less likely to need to use additional antipsychotics. These findings were published today in the American Journal of Psychiatry.
Neurodermatitis genes influence other allergies There's a typical "career" for some allergic people, and it starts very early on the skin: babies develop atopic dermatitis, food allergies may follow, then comes asthma and later on hay fever. A group of scientists led by Ingo Marenholz and Young-Ae Lee at the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), working with colleagues from several institutions, has now identified seven genetic risk loci for this course of disease. Two of these loci were previously unknown and mainly influence the connection between atopic dermatitis and asthma. According to the study, the regions that determine the risk for atopic dermatitis are mainly those that also determine the risk for the further development of the typical allergic career. This course of disease is also called the "atopic march."
	Research finds risk of suicide and mental illness increases during recession The economic recession of 2008 – 2010 was followed by increases in rates of suicide, suicide attempts, and mental illness, a PolicyBristol report from a team led by academics at the University of Bristol has found.
	When celebration is tempered with grief at the holidays Although many songs insist the holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year, it can be the worst for families grieving the loss of a child.
	Researchers identify essential component of antiviral defense Infectious disease researchers at the University of Georgia have identified a signaling protein critical for host defense against influenza infection. The findings, recently published in PLoS Pathogens, shed light on how a single component of the body's defense system promotes effective immunity against viral infections-particularly respiratory viruses-that affect mucosal sites.
	New type of cancer treatment targets cancer cell proteins A new therapeutic approach that targets an aggressive form of lymphoma may greatly increase the efficacy of treatment and result in better outcomes for patients, according to new research by scientists at Weill Cornell Medicine.
	Obesity leads to 'silent' vitamin A deficiency in organs Obesity impairs the body's ability to use vitamin A appropriately and leads to deficiencies of the vitamin in major organs, according to new research conducted at Weill Cornell Medicine.
	Researchers test 'smart' simulations to analyze unknown variables in immune response Technology to predict how our bodies will manage chronic diseases such as Crohn's disease and inflammatory bowel disease promises to accelerate the discovery of new treatments, identify leads for further study, and occasionally uncover hidden knowledge about how our immune system operates.
	Cancer treatment in a painless patch Chemotherapy is a life-saving medical intervention for millions of cancer patients, but the treatment is often not a pleasant experience. To kill off cancer cells, chemotherapy drugs must directly enter the patient's bloodstream and so they are administered intravenously. But are large, often painful needles the only reliable way to deliver the drugs?
	Mucus—the first line of defence By licking a wound it heals faster – this is not simply popular belief, but scientifically proven. Our saliva consists of water and mucus, among other things, and the mucus plays an important role. It stimulates white blood cells to build a good defence against invaders, according to a group of researchers at Lund University in Sweden together with colleagues from Copenhagen and Odense in Denmark.
	Nurses advice key for anxious new parents Nursing staff who cared for newborn preterm infants in hospital could provide follow-up advice for new parents—thereby alleviating their fears of caring for their child at home which could have harmful consequences on their future.
Young child just as reliable a witness as an adult The eyewitness account of a young child is no less reliable than that of an adult. Depending on the material 'to be recalled', older children and adults produce more false memories than young children do. Forensic psychologist Henry Otgaar discovered this during his research project 'Shifting Memories: Reversing Developmental Trends in Memory Illusions in (non)Maltreated Populations', which he is carrying out at Maastricht University with financial support from a Veni grant of the Talent Scheme. The article will be published shortly in Journal of Experimental Psychology: General.
Five surprising ways your walking speed reflects your health You know something is going on with your health when your body temperature rises above 99 degrees Fahrenheit, you feel pain, or your heart beats at a quickened pace without explanation. We take notice of these clear signs of atypical body functions. They're easily measured by anyone anywhere and they spur our doctors or us to take action. Our vital signs let us know when our bodies are not functioning properly and our health needs attention.
Study explores the effect of sit-to-stand workstations on sedentary behaviour outside of office hours Introducing sit-to-stand workstations in the office significantly reduces sitting at work but can result in slight increases in sitting outside of working hours, new research reveals.
	Complex concerns around FDA's OK of OxyContin, specialist says The U.S. Food and Drug Administration in August approved the opioid painkiller OxyContin for use in children as young as 11, sparking a national outcry prompted by addiction concerns.
	Race gap in life expectancy is narrowing: US study (HealthDay)—Black Americans are catching up to whites in life expectancy—largely due to declining rates of death from heart disease, cancer and HIV, a new federal government study finds.
	Cancer survivors less likely to receive callbacks from potential employers Job applicants who are cancer survivors are less likely to receive callbacks from potential retail employers than those who did not disclose their health history, according to a recent study by Rice University and Penn State University researchers.
	MRI-based screening improves assignment of stroke patients to endovascular treatment A Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)— developed system for determining which patients with severe strokes are most likely to benefit from catheter-based systems for blood clot removal led to a greater percentage of screened patients receiving treatment and to outcomes similar to recent studies that found significant treatment benefits. In their paper published online in JAMA Neurology, the research team reports how the precision of their classification system, which combines diffusion MRI with key clinical characteristics, more than doubled the percentage of screened patients who were assigned to and probably benefited from treatment.
Thiazide may pose some risk for congestive heart failure patients Thiazide, a popular diuretic for lowering high blood pressure, may not excrete salt as expected in patients with congestive heart failure and or dehydration and should be taken with caution, say researchers at the University of Cincinnati.
	Bang for the buck in stroke prevention: Study compares new and old drugs When it comes to preventing stroke, millions of Americans with irregular heartbeats face a choice: Take one of the powerful but pricey new pills they see advertised on TV, or a much cheaper 60-year-old drug can be a hassle to take, and doesn't prevent stroke as well.
Targeted treatment produces rapid shrinkage of recurrent, BRAF-mutant brain tumor A team led by Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) investigators has reported the first successful use of a targeted therapy drug to treat a patient with a debilitating, recurrent brain tumor. In a paper published online in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, the researchers report that treatment with the BRAF inhibitor dabrafinib led to shrinkage of a BRAF-mutant craniopharyngioma that had recurred even after four surgical procedures. More than a year after dabrafinib treatment, which was followed by surgery and radiation therapy, the patient's tumor has not recurred.
	What you need to know when your child gets a rash (HealthDay)—When children develop a rash, parents might think it's simply due to a skin irritation. But viruses are also a common cause of rashes in children, an expert says.
	Emotional intelligence linked to self-management in COPD (HealthDay)—Emotional intelligence, the capacity to understand and manage personal thoughts and feelings, is associated with self-management abilities and quality of life in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a study published online Oct. 26 in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.
This week in BMJ Case Reports Doctors warn of accidental overdosing on herbal medicines
German lawmakers debate assisted suicide regulation German lawmakers are debating a range of proposals to regulate assisted suicide, an issue of particular sensitivity in a country where the last time euthanasia was part of public policy it was used by the Nazis to kill more than 200,000 people with physical and mental disabilities.
Anguish over India's move to ban 'rent-a-womb' industry Childless couples from around the world have been left in limbo after the Indian government revealed plans to ban them from the country's booming multi-million dollar surrogacy industry.
Vital signs guide treatments in intensive care in Tanzania In order to improve intensive care in Tanzania, doctoral student Tim Baker from Karolinska Institutet has introduced new procedures for identifying and treating patients with failing vital functions. Dr. Baker and his colleagues have developed a protocol called Vital Signs Directed Therapy (VSDT), which improves intensive care and reduces the mortality rate for some patients.
A model of the Ebola epidemics in West Africa incorporating age of infection Tomorrow, Sierra Leone is expected to be declared Ebola-free by the World Health Organisation. But what was key to eliminating the disease? A mathematical model published in the Journal of Biological Dynamics describes the reasons as complex, but confirms that increased identification and isolation of infectious cases played the major role.
	The Ebola mobile suitcase laboratory successfully tested in Guinea An international team of researchers, including Ahmed Abd El Wahed, scientist at the University of Göttingen and the German Primate Center, has tested a new method for rapid diagnosis of Ebola in a field trial in Guinea. The test procedure was carried out using a portable suitcase laboratory. The mobile suitcase lab is operated with solar power and enables simple on-site diagnostics in remote areas without the need of an equipped laboratory. The new detection method, a recombinase polymerase amplification technique, shortly RPA, is based on the rapid identification of viral RNA in oral swabs of infected persons at 42 degrees. The comparison with two other currently available diagnostic methods revealed that the RPA is a very sensitive and rapid technique. An Ebola infection case was detected after 30 minutes. The results of the field study have been published in the current issue of the journal Eurosurveillance.
	Dream team selected to tackle one of cancer's deadliest forms—pancreatic cancer The Stand Up To Cancer-Cancer Research UK-Lustgarten Foundation Dream Team of top cancer researchers from the United States and the United Kingdom was named here today to launch a fresh attack on pancreatic cancer, one of the deadliest forms of cancer on both sides of the Atlantic.
	Scottish university scientist behind successful rapid-detection Ebola test A rapid-detection Ebola test developed by international scientists including a University of Stirling, Scotland virologist has been deployed following a highly effective pilot project.
New vital sign monitoring system may improve care for hospitalized patients A recent study indicates that a newly designed vital sign monitoring system can improve patient safety in medical and surgical units without an abundance of unnecessary alarms.
Transplant tourism increases health-related risks for organ recipients Traveling abroad to receive a kidney from a paid living donor at a commercial transplant center carries considerable risks, according to a study that will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2015 Nov. 3-8 at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, CA.
Equations used to place patients on transplant waitlists may create disparities Different equations used to qualify patients for the kidney transplant waitlist may result in inequities, according to a study that will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2015 November 3¬-8 at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, CA.
Cadaveric kidneys from infants and toddlers benefit adults in need of transplants Adults with kidney failure can benefit from cadaveric kidney transplants from infants and toddlers when adult organs are unavailable, according to a study that will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2015 Nov. 3-8 at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, CA.
	Kidney transplantation prolongs survival compared with home hemodialysis Previous studies have found that kidney failure patients on long-term dialysis tend to die earlier than patients who receive kidney transplants; however, none of these studies have considered death rates in US patients using alternative forms of dialysis such as home hemodialysis. Two such studies will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2015 November 3¬-8 at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, CA.
New look at PrEP study points to efficacy for transgender women In a new look at the groundbreaking iPrEx trial for people at high risk of HIV infection, UC San Francisco researchers have identified strong evidence of efficacy for transgender women when PrEP, a two-drug antiretroviral used to prevent HIV, is used consistently.
Most chicken, turkey farms affected by bird flu can restock Most commercial chicken and turkey farms that were infected by the bird flu have been cleared to restock, agriculture officials said Friday, but scientists still will keep a close eye on migrating birds and test thousands to see if the virus is present.
Merck, Eli Lilly probed on drug pricing The Justice Department is probing some drug pricing practices of pharmaceutical giants Merck and Eli Lilly, the companies disclosed Friday in securities filings.

Biology news

	Unusual polyketide metabolites found to give potato rotting bacteria ability to live in an oxygen-rich environment (Phys.org)—A team of researchers affiliated with several institutions in Germany has discovered the means by which the common bacteria Clostridium puniceum, which causes pink slime rot in potatoes, is able to survive in an oxygen-rich environment. In their paper published in the journal Science, the team describes the experiments they conducted that led to their discovery and what it might mean for fighting potato rotting in the future.
	Plants defend their territory with toxic substances Plants are stakeholders in a subtle and complex chemical warfare to secure optimal growth conditions. Although it has been known for decades that plants produce and release chemical substances to fight their neighbors, it has remained unclear how exactly these compounds act on other plants. A team of German and French scientists has been able to show that one particular class of plant toxins slows down the development of competing plants by specifically acting on the structure of their genome.
	Locusts interact with several neighbours to swarm together Swarming locusts interact with at least two of their neighbours when aligning themselves in order to march in the same direction, says new research led by our mathematicians.
	New research explains how the ability to collaborate became widespread in humans Shared intentions are part of our everyday life. They range from the banal, such as "we intend to go out to dinner tonight", to those with more far-reaching consequences like "we intend to form an alliance to defeat our common enemy".
	Packaging and unpacking of the genome DNA represents a dynamic form of information, balancing efficient storage and access requirements. Packaging approximately 1.8m of DNA into something as small as a cell nucleus is no mean feat, but unpacking it again to access the required sections and genes? That requires organisation.
	From starving chicks come fat birds The researchers, led by Professor Melissa Bateson and Dr Clare Andrews, discovered that stress and difficulties as a chick made a long lasting impression on a starling's relationship with food.
	What makes a leader? Clues from the animal kingdom As the American media continues to buzz over who is more or less likely to secure the Republican and Democratic nominations for U.S. President, researchers in the journal Trends in Ecology & Evolution review some interesting perspectives on the nature of leadership. The experts from a wide range of disciplines examined patterns of leadership in a set of small-scale mammalian societies, including humans and other social mammals such as elephants and meerkats.
	New clues to how gatekeeper for the cell nucleus works Scientists from the U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) have uncovered new clues to how a molecular machine inside the cell acts as a gatekeeper, allowing some molecules to enter and exit the nucleus while keeping other molecules out.
	Where do rats move in after disasters? This team finds out Imagine you're a researcher working outdoors in a New Orleans summer. It's 100 degrees, and you're going door-to-door in neighborhoods where people have grown tired of being studied by outsiders in the decade since Hurricane Katrina. And in the best-case scenario—on a very good day—you wind up handling a bunch of disease-carrying rats.
	Cockatoo research soars to new heights For those of us who have grown up in WA, a black cloud comprised of hundreds of cockatoos moving across the sky used to be a common sight.
	Decline in dung beetle populations due to use of preventative medicine for livestock Research led by the University of Alicante's Ibero-American Centre for Biodiversity shows the adverse effects of a drug commonly administered to livestock, ivermectin, on populations of a key dung beetle in Mediterranean ecosystems.
	Study shows origins of rice cultivation Rice, the staple food source of around 50% of the World's population, has been domesticated on three separate occasions, according to a new study by Faculty scientists.
	Gut microbiota regulates antioxidant metabolism A recently published study shows that gut microbiota regulates the glutathione and amino acid metabolism of the host. Glutathione is a key antioxidant, found in every cell in our body. Deficiency of glutathione contributes to oxidative stress, which plays a major role in several lifestyle diseases.
	How did the stonefly cross the lake? The mystery of stoneflies recolonising a USA island Massive glaciers once covered an island in one of the Great Lakes, USA, leaving it largely devoid of life. Its subsequent recolonisation by insects triggered the curiosity of entomologist R. Edward DeWalt and graduate student Eric J. South of the Illinois Natural History Survey and Department of Entomology. Not only did they prove there were significantly fewer species, compared to the mainland, but also that smaller stonefly species appeared to be more capable of recolonizing the island. This study was published in the open-access journal ZooKeys .
	Professor seeks to increase awareness, monitoring of declining bat populations in Maine Erik Blomberg, assistant professor in the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology at the University of Maine, wanted to bring the massive declines in bat populations to the public's attention and to educate residents about the extensive services that the animals provide to humans.
	'Autumnwatch' red kite scientists seek help with new study Research from the University of Reading, featured on the BBC's 'Autumnwatch' last night, shows how a rare bird of prey has made a return to British towns thanks to people feeding them.
	A passion to defeat the whitefly University of New Mexico alumna Laura Boykin (Ph.D. 2003) was recently featured in the article, "12 Badass Scientists...Who Also Happen to be Women" released by Ted Fellows, a program that falls under the purview of TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) the organization whose motto is to make great ideas accessible and spark conversation.
Monitoring farmland biodiversity across Europe: It could cost less than you think How can we monitor Europe-wide farmland biodiversity so that it makes sense to farmers, is ecologically credible and scientifically sound and can be implemented for a reasonable price? Two new studies answer these questions.

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