Science X Newsletter Friday, Dec 18

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for December 18, 2015:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Year in Review—The most important research of 2015: July
- Magnetic nanoparticle chains offer new technique for controlling soft robots
- Disrupted globular cluster found in the constellation of Draco
- Major step toward confirming the existence of the majorana particle
- Study clarifies the role of the leaving group in gas-phase bimolecular reaction
- Sony pegs 2020 as year of its high capacity battery
- Stroke recovery in mice improved by Ambien, study shows
- Superbug colony behaviors revealed in time lapse video
- Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter releases new high-resolution earthrise image
- Black holes could grow as large as 50 billion suns before their food crumbles into stars according to research
- Opinion: How we built a robot that can evolve – and why it won't take over the world
- Watching the ribosome at work
- Uncertain future carbon uptake in the North Atlantic
- Bacteria battle: How one changes appearance, moves away to resist the other
- Maintaining salt balance helps insects avoid frosty fate: Could assist with pest control

Astronomy & Space news

	Disrupted globular cluster found in the constellation of Draco A co-moving clump of stars was found in the constellation of Draco at a distance of approximately 8,500 light years away by a team of astronomers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It is assumed that the newly detected stellar group is a disrupted globular cluster, according to the researchers. They described their discovery in a paper published online on Dec. 16 on the arXiv pre-print server.
	Asteroid looks even better second time around Asteroid 1998 WT24 safely flew past Earth on Dec. 11 at a distance of about 2.6 million miles (4.2 million kilometers, 11 lunar distances). During its flyby, NASA scientists used the 230-foot (70-meter) DSS-14 antenna at Goldstone, California, to probe it with microwave transmissions. Using this technique, they created the highest-resolution radar images of the asteroid.
	What is the Big Bang Theory? How was our Universe created? How did it come to be the seemingly infinite place we know of today? And what will become of it, ages from now? These are the questions that have been puzzling philosophers and scholars since the beginning the time, and led to some pretty wild and interesting theories. Today, the consensus among scientists, astronomers and cosmologists is that the Universe as we know it was created in a massive explosion that not only created the majority of matter, but the physical laws that govern our ever-expanding cosmos.
	Black holes could grow as large as 50 billion suns before their food crumbles into stars according to research Black holes at the heart of galaxies could swell to 50 billion times the mass of the sun before losing the discs of gas they rely on to sustain themselves, according to research at the University of Leicester.
	China launches dark matter detecting satellite into orbit China has successfully placed a satellite called the Dark Matter Particle Explorer (DAMPE) into a sun-synchronous orbit around the Earth. Its mission is to study high-energy particles and γ-rays as part of an overall objective to learn more about dark matter. The satellite was boosted into the sky by a Chinese Long March 2D rocket, launched from a northwest province in China.
	MMS mission delivers promising initial results Just under four months into the science phase of the mission, NASA's Magnetospheric Multiscale, or MMS, is delivering promising early results on a process called magnetic reconnection—a kind of magnetic explosion that's related to everything from the northern lights to solar flares.
	NASA: Spacewalk needed to move stalled rail car Two Americans aboard the International Space Station are gearing up for a spacewalk early next week to free a stalled rail car.
	New findings from New Horizons shape understanding of Pluto and its moons Five months after NASA's New Horizons spacecraft flew past Pluto to take the first images and measurements of this icy world and its system of satellites, knowledge about this distant system continues to unfold.
	Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter releases new high-resolution earthrise image NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) recently captured a unique view of Earth from the spacecraft's vantage point in orbit around the moon.
	Mars spacecraft shipped to California for March launch NASA's next Mars spacecraft has arrived at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, for final preparations before a launch scheduled in March 2016 and a landing on Mars six months later.
	NASA's LADEE mission shows the force of meteoroid strikes on lunar exosphere NASA scientists have released new findings about the moon's tenuous exosphere – the thin layer of gas surrounding the moon that's one 25-trillionth the density of Earth's atmosphere. The data reveal, for the first time, that meteoroid strikes cause a predictable increase in the abundance of two key elements within the lunar exosphere.
	What is the biggest star in the Universe? Look up at the night sky and it is filled with stars. But only a microscopic fraction are visible to the naked eye. In fact, there are estimated to be 100 billion stars in 10,000 billion galaxies in the visible universe. This means that there are roughly 1024 stars out there.
Video: Lightsabers for real Lasers may be the weapon in choice in sci-fi space movies but they are also a staple of everyday life – as well as an important tool for real-life space missions by the European Space Agency.
	Challenge is on to design sky for all The history of aviation is rich with innovations from citizen inventors, and NASA is looking to the public to continue that tradition by contributing new ideas for the future of air travel.

Technology news

	Sony pegs 2020 as year of its high capacity battery (Phys.org)—Instant crowd pleaser: Any headline that promises more battery life for smartphones. And why wouldn't it be a crowd-pleaser, considering the hassles in running out of juice when you need it the most?
	Kestrel inspires unpowered, autonomous glider to climb higher Researchers at the RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia have drawn inspiration from the way kestrels hover above their prey to develop an autonomous fixed-wing micro air vehicle (MAV) that can gain height from convenient updrafts.
	Bitcoin might not change the world, but the blockchain that makes it work, might Digital cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin may have failed to unseat their more traditional rivals, but the technology that underpins Bitcoin may yet bring about a revolution in finance and other industries. This technology is called the "blockhain".
Real-time tracking shows how batteries degrade How disposable Lithium batteries degrade during normal use has been tracked in real-time by a UCL-led team using sophisticated 3D imaging, giving a new way to non-invasively monitor performance loss and guide the development of more effective commercial battery designs.
	Nanodevices at one-hundredth the cost Microelectromechanical systems—or MEMS—were a $12 billion business in 2014. But that market is dominated by just a handful of devices, such as the accelerometers that reorient the screens of most smartphones.
	WiFi signals can be exploited to detect attackers Physical attacks on devices connected to the Internet can be detected by analysing WiFi signals, computer scientists have discovered.
	Opinion: How we built a robot that can evolve – and why it won't take over the world The latest research on robots is often described as if it were a step on the inexorable march toward a robot apocalypse straight out of the Terminator films. While there are risks in developing artificial intelligence that need to be taken seriously, reacting to every development in robotics with undue fear could stifle research and creativity.
	Juniper Networks to NetScreen users: Patch now Juniper Networks said unauthorized code was discovered in ScreenOS, reported Simon Sharwood in The Register on Thursday. This is the operating system for its NetScreen firewalls. An attacker with that code may achieve administrative access to NetScreen devices— and decrypt VPN connections.
	Scientists train computer models to accurately simulate nature's variability Borrowing insights from techniques used to image cancer, Stanford scientists have devised a new method for generating "training images" that can be used to fine-tune models of uncertainty about underground physical processes and structures.
	Making mobile health effective and secure With Internet-connected medical technology and digitized health records on the rise, cybersecurity is a growing concern for patients and hospitals alike. One research team is taking a holistic approach to strengthening the medical system's security—from the computer networks that support hospitals, to the cloud, to the smart phone in your pocket.
Researcher developing a new reputation management system for the digital world Ferry Hendrikx, who graduated last week with a PhD in computer science, is researching ways of building reputation profiles online that draw information from multiple sources.
	Apple digital wallet heads to China Apple announced a major partnership with China UnionPay to put is digital wallet to work in the world's most populous country.
	Windows 10 tuned for Chinese government Microsoft is forming a joint-venture in China to tailor a version of its new Windows 10 computer operating system for use by the Chinese government.
Soaring aspirations of Myanmar's drone enthusiasts In a ramshackle workshop behind a bustling Yangon market, Kyi Tha fixes the plastic propeller of a home-made drone, one of a growing number of enthusiasts refusing to let poverty clip the wings of their hi-tech dreams.
	Long-stalled cybersecurity bill poised for US approval Legislation designed to fight cyber threats appeared poised for congressional passage following several failed attempts, with the White House on track to prevail despite objections from privacy activists.
6 plead guilty in $100 million software piracy case Six people pleaded guilty to charges related to more than $100 million in stolen software such as Windows XP that authorities said was one of the largest such piracy schemes prosecuted by the U.S. government.
	Star Wars—these could be the droids we're looking for in real life The latest episode of Star Wars is now upon us and has unleashed a new era of science fantasy robots, or "droids" as they are known.
	Vuvuzela, a next-generation anonymity tool that protects users by adding NOISE Cryptography is the science of keeping secrets, with encryption algorithms and methods such as public key encryption the gold standard. Despite widespread usage and heavy scrutiny, these ciphers remain unbroken. But while encryption can keep messages secret, it cannot protect the identities of the sender and receiver.
	Holiday sales pattern skews online; malls lose some luster (Update) More often shoppers are making the decision to sit on their couches rather than head to stores this holiday season.
BlackBerry's results beat expectations, shares rise BlackBerry reported quarterly results Friday that beat Wall Street expectations, even as revenue fell sharply.
How lottery insider allegedly fixed jackpots Eddie Tipton, a computer expert and the Multi-State Lottery Association's security director, allegedly rigged a lottery jackpot by installing a software program known as a rootkit on a computer that would pick the winning number for a $16.5 million Hot Lotto jackpot.
Appeals court: Airline pilots can't ride share like Uber Private pilots can't offer flight-sharing services to the public using an Internet model similar to those developed by Uber and Lyft, a federal appeals court ruled Friday.
Congress passes long-stalled cybersecurity bill Congress on Friday passed legislation to fight cyber threats, pushing the measure through by tucking it into a sprawling government funding bill, after earlier failed attempts.
	Costa Rica boasts 99% renewable energy in 2015 Almost all of Costa Rica's electricity came from renewable sources this year, making it one of a few countries in the world to eschew fossil fuels in energy generation, the state electricity agency said Friday.
	Cook bashes talk Apple is dodging taxes Apple chief Tim Cook emphatically rejected accusations that the world's richest company is sidestepping US taxes by keeping bundles of cash overseas, suggesting that the claim was politically motivated.
	Railways: Ensuring readiness in case of space weather events The JRC has been looking into the risks of space weather impact on critical infrastructures. A new report explores the rail sector's vulnerability and the potential impacts, in particular through interdependencies with other infrastructures. Awareness among operators and regulators worldwide is currently limited and vulnerabilities across the rail sector need to be identified, authors say.

Medicine & Health news

	New insights into the molecular basis of memory Scientists from the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases have shed new light on the molecular basis of memory. Their study confirms that the formation of memories is accompanied by an altered activity of specific genes. In addition, they found an unprecedented amount of evidence that supports the hypothesis that chemical labels on the backbone of the DNA (so-called DNA methylation) may be the molecular basis of long-term memory. These findings are reported in Nature Neuroscience.
	Stimulus plan? It may sound unusual, but it's true: In recent years a growing number of people have been hooking their heads up to electrodes, in an attempt to stimulate their brains using a direct electrical current. Some of them do this via homemade devices; others may be using a new direct-to-consumer kit that just hit the market.
	Forgetting is key to learning Do you often feel overwhelmed with the amount of information coming at you? Forgotten your shopping list as soon as you've heard the sports results? Don't worry, it's all completely normal – and necessary – according to new research which shows that such forgetting is a key part of learning.
Breakthrough for video-pill cancer imaging Researchers from the University of Glasgow have found a way to make swallowable cameras more effective at detecting cancers of the throat and gut.
	Stroke recovery in mice improved by Ambien, study shows Mice that had strokes rebounded significantly faster if they received low doses of a popular sleeping aid, according to researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine.
Grid cells: Reading the neural code for space The cognitive map for spatial navigation is thought to rely on grid cells. Scientists at Ludwigs-Maximilians-Universitaet in Munich and Harvard University have now put forward a mathematical theory that explains key grid-cell features and how these give rise to a neural metric for space.
UK failure to fortify flour with folic acid has caused 2000+ cases of neural tube defect The UK's failure to fortify flour with folic acid has caused around 2000 avoidable cases of neural tube defects since 1998, concludes research published online in the Archives of Disease in Childhood.
In vitro gametogenes: Just another way to have a baby? New analysis by a George Washington University academic examines the possibility of using in vitro gametogenesis (IVG) for human reproduction and its ethical and practical implications. The paper is published today in the Journal of Law and the Biosciences.
New generation of synthetic bone grafts created Scientists led by Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) have developed a new type of synthetic bone graft that boosts the body's own ability to regenerate bone tissue and could produce better outcomes for patients.
Handle with care: Car seats and newborns In 2013, car accidents resulted in approximately 8,500 infants requiring hospitalization or emergency department visits and 135 infant deaths. When used properly, car seats can reduce the risk of infant death and injury by 71%. However, in a new study scheduled for publication in The Journal of Pediatrics, researchers found that most families with newborns made at least one serious error in the use and installation of their car safety seat.
	Ascorbic acid patch reduces wrinkles due to photoaging (HealthDay)—An ascorbic acid (AA)-loaded dissolving microneedle (DMN) patch is feasible and has anti-wrinkle effect, according to a study published online Dec. 9 in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science.
	New approach needed for governance of risky research, scholars say The United States needs to build a better governance regime for oversight of risky biological research to reduce the likelihood of a bioengineered super virus escaping from the lab or being deliberately unleashed, according to an article from three Stanford scholars published in the journal Science today.
	Coffee may improve athletic endurance performance, review finds The caffeine in a morning cup of coffee could help improve athletic endurance, according to a new University of Georgia review study.
Too much couch and too many calories a bad mix for holiday season Though many may relish the opportunity to do more lounging and eating during the holiday season, health care professionals attest that too much of the couch mixed with too many calories can lead to repercussions for your health. Failing to maintain physical activity during the holidays can lead to setbacks, trigger new health conditions or compromise existing ones, particularly for those with health issues such as diabetes or high cholesterol.
	Antibiotic-infused implants designed to help faces heal Rice University researchers developing temporary implants for facial reconstruction are incorporating a unique way to deliver time-released antibiotics to ward off infection while a patient heals.
	Clinical trial explores new ways to help chronic pain sufferers Medication normally used to treat depression and anxiety could give new hope to chronic pain suffers.
	Researchers suggest U.S. Dietary Guidelines lack scientific credibility The methods used to base decision-making for the Scientific Report of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee are inherently and fatally flawed, according to findings from a researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Retro arcade-style game to explain science of Alzheimer's Alzheimer's Research UK has created a cross-platform game designed to help people understand the biology of Alzheimer's and other dementias.
	Prostate cancer discovery may make it easier to kill cancer cells A newly discovered connection between two common prostate cancer treatments may soon make prostate cancer cells easier to destroy. Drugs that could capitalize on the discovery are already in the pipeline, and a clinical trial to test whether the finding could improve treatments for prostate cancer patients could be only a few years away.
A few survival tips for holiday overeating We've all been there – reaching for another heap of potatoes or ambrosia, sampling everything on the dessert tray, maybe one too many eggnogs, and suddenly we're more stuffed than the rib roast and feeling guilty. Don't beat yourself up, it happens to the best of us. Here are some ways to bounce back after a food flub.
	New brain imaging technology offers new approach for studying Parkinsonian syndromes Using a portable device developed at Drexel University, researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have identified differences in brain activation patterns associated with postural stability in people with Parkinsonian syndromes and healthy adults. The findings, published recently in Brain Research , describe the critical role of the prefrontal cortex in balance control and may have implications with respect to detecting and treating Parkinsonian symptoms in the elderly.
	Foot-reading device for personalised footwear Personalised footwear to relieve patients from diabetes-related foot complications could soon become available, thanks to joint efforts under the DIABSMART project.
	Proper body language can quiet self-doubt and help ace life's challenges, says psychologist It's that make-or-break moment. You head into a room for a job interview, to give a presentation, or to take an exam. In theory, you should ace what's coming: You've got the credentials, rehearsed what to say, and mastered the material.
	Gene controls stress hormone production in macaques Some people react more calmly in stressful situations than others. Certain genes, such as the so-called COMT gene, are thought to play a role in determining our stress response. Researchers from the Vetmeduni Vienna and the University of Vienna have now studied this gene in macaques, a genus of Old World monkeys, and for the first time have shown that a specific variant of the gene is associated with higher excretion of the stress hormone cortisol. The gene variant may also influence social rank among the animals. The results were published in the journal Hormones and Behavior.
Engineers develop simulations of the human heart The heart as a simulation: In a new project funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) scientists of TU Dresden explore the computational modeling of the human heart. They hope to gain a better understanding of its complex operation and thus better treatments for cardiac patients. The computer simulations are going to be developed at the Institute for Structural Analysis headed by Prof. Michael Kaliske.
Endoscopic techniques offer hope for throat cancer patients According to a study in the December issue of GIE: Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, the monthly peer-reviewed scientific journal of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) appears to be a safe and effective minimally invasive treatment for patients with superficial pharyngeal (throat) cancer.
	Making wheelchair exercise equipment more accessible and adjustable Regular exercise is important for maintaining health, especially for wheelchair users. However, exercise equipment to be used with a wheelchair is not always readily accessible, adjustable or effective. A team of mechanical engineering, kinesiology and physical therapy students are collaborating on developing new exercise equipment for wheelchair users. Steven Elmer leads the team, which is working to bridge the gap between engineering and rehabilitation.
African-Americans more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease than Caucasians Emory University researchers have conducted the only known meta-analysis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) incidence by race and found that African-Americans are 64 percent more likely to develop AD than Caucasians, after adjusting for age, gender and education. The estimate for prevalence of AD was 5.5 percent for Caucasians and 8.6 percent for African-Americans.
	Heightened blood flow in the brain linked to development of psychosis Scientists from King's College London and the University of Roehampton have identified a key mechanism in the brain which might be associated with the onset and development of psychosis.
Multiplying teeth Researchers from the RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology, working with colleagues from the Tokyo Medical and Dental University, have found a way to—literally—multiply teeth. In mice, they were able to extract teeth germs—groups of cells formed early in life that later develop into teeth, split them into two, and then implant the teeth into the mice's jaws, where they developed into two fully functional teeth.
A novel mechanism that helps activated dendritic cells to initiate effective immunity Phagocytosis represents a critical innate barrier against infection and serves the clearance of extracellular microbes, infected and dying cells. Different immune cells use phagocytosis for microbial killing, but in dendritic cells (DCs) it mainly serves the processing and presentation of specific molecules (antigens) that are able to alert the immune system and to initiate immune responses. Researchers at VIB and UGent, in close collaboration with a research team of the Institute Curie in France, describe now a mechanism of how the fusion between phagosomes and lysosomes influences the presentation of antigens on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) I molecules to cytotoxic T cells, a process called cross-presentation. The results are published the 15the December issue of the prestigious journal Immunity.
	Painkiller politics: Effort to curb prescribing under fire A bold federal effort to curb prescribing of painkillers may be faltering amid stiff resistance from drugmakers, industry-funded groups and, now, even other public health officials.
Anxiety significantly raises risk for dementia People who experienced high anxiety any time in their lives had a 48 percent higher risk of developing dementia compared to those who had not, according to a new study led by USC researchers.
	A microfluidic biochip for blood cell counts at the point-of-care Teams of researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) have demonstrated a biosensor capable of counting the blood cells electrically using only a drop of blood. The blood cell count is among the most ubiquitous diagnostic tests in primary health care. The gold standard routinely used in hospitals and testing laboratories is a hematology analyzer, which is large and expensive equipment, and requires trained technicians and physical sample transportation. It slows turn-around time, limits throughput in hospitals, and limits accessibility in resource-limited settings. Bashir and his team have developed a biosensor to count red blood cell, platelet, and white blood cell counts, and its 3-part differential at the point-of-care while using only 11 microL of blood.
	Researchers develop new method for looking into the lungs For the first time, researchers have succeeded in producing 3D images showing oxygen and CO2 transport in the lungs. The new method provides hope for better treatment of COPD and lung cancer.
	Insensitive irritable bowel syndrome For the first time, biopsies of patients with irritable bowel syndrome have shown that the nerves in their gut wall respond poorly to a cocktail of inflammatory substances. This refutes the previous theory that patients with irritable bowel syndrome have an overly sensitive gut. The new study by scientists of the Technical University of Munich (TUM) was carried out in collaboration with several German hospitals.
Follow-up times for colorectal cancer screening abnormalities lag behind others Follow-up times of abnormal screening exams were shorter for breast cancer than they were for colorectal and cervical cancers, according to a recent study involving more than one million individuals who underwent these screenings. Recently published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, the study reported the percentages of individuals with abnormal screening exams receiving timely follow-up were: 93.2% to 96.7% of women across breast centers, 46.8% to 68.7% of individuals across colorectal centers, and 46.6% of women at the cervical center.
	FDA proposes ban on indoor tanning for minors Anyone under the age of 18 would be barred from using indoor tanning equipment, under a federal proposal to help reduce skin cancer linked to the devices.
Substances found in cornea activate healing of blinding scar tissue Doctoral student Marta Słoniecka at the Department of Integrative Medical Biology has found that the neuropeptide substance P and the neurotransmitter acetylcholine activate and enhance healing of the cornea. The two substances are mostly associated with brain neurons, but are also produced naturally by the cells of the cornea's thickest layer.
	Asian women with endocrine-resistant breast cancer benefit from combination therapy Data collected in Japanese and Korean patients included in the global PALOMA3 trial provides evidence that combining palbociclib with fulvestrant is an effective strategy to overcome endocrine resistance in women with hormone receptor positive (HR+), HER2 negative (HER2-) advanced breast cancer. The analysis of efficacy and safety of the combined therapy in an Asian population was presented at the first ESMO Asia 2015 Congress in Singapore, and results are in line with those reported in all patients (both Asian and non-Asian) earlier this year.
	Childhood concussions impair brain function A new study finds that pre-adolescent children who have sustained sports-related concussions have impaired brain function two years following injury.
	New model for vascular and tumor research Two characteristic features of malignant tumours are that they form massive blood vessels and bypass the immune system. A new cell culture technique allows the processes of tumour growth to be studied directly and in real time, without the need for complex experiments using live animals. The researchers at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) who developed the technique looked specifically at brain tumours.
	Teens with fewer mental health issues turn to e-cigarettes Teenagers with moderate mental health problems who may not have considered smoking conventional cigarettes are turning to electronic cigarettes, a new USC study has found.
Untested, unapproved compounded hormone prescriptions reach 26 to 33 million a year The number of prescriptions for mostly unregulated compounded hormone therapy for women at menopause has reached an estimated 26 to 33 million a year. That approaches the 36 million prescriptions per year for well-regulated and tested FDA-approved hormone therapy, shows an analysis of the market compounded hormone therapy market, published online this month in Menopause, the journal of the North American Menopause Society (NAMS).
Study identifies method for detecting latent stage of lymphedema Many are aware that hair loss is a common side effect associated with chemotherapy. However, another albeit common late side effect of cancer treatment is the abnormal swelling of one or more limbs, known as lymphedema. Lymphedema is most commonly the result of an obstruction or disruption of the lymphatic system that occurs immediately after cancer treatment or 1-5, even 20 years after.
	BAP1 mutation passed down over centuries and is associated with high incidence of several cancers Michele Carbone and colleagues, from the University of Hawaii, discovered that members of 4 families, apparently unrelated and living in different US States, shared the identical mutation of a gene called BAP1 that is associated with a higher incidence of mesothelioma, melanoma, renal carcinoma and other cancers.
	Is there an objective measurement to identify individuals at risk of developing depression? A network of interacting brain regions known as the default mode network (DMN) was found to have stronger connections in adults and children with a high risk of depression compared to those with a low risk. These findings suggest that increased DMN connectivity is a potential precursor, or biomarker, indicating a risk of developing major depressive disorder (MDD).
	Review: PTSD resources lacking for nonveterans Post-traumatic stress disorder remains a difficult, urgent, and prevalent problem among combat veterans, but millions of nonveterans experience the condition too. A new study in the Harvard Review of Psychiatry finds that compared to what the Veterans Health Administration and Defense Department make available, treatment resources for nonveterans are much less cohesive and helpful.
	Flu season off to slower start this year; might be milder This year's flu season seems like old times.
Researchers find magnesium intake may be beneficial in preventing pancreatic cancer Indiana University researchers have found that magnesium intake may be beneficial in preventing pancreatic cancer.
New device approved for fecal incontinence (HealthDay)—The Fenix Continence Restoration System has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat an inability to control bowel movements for people who can't tolerate or use other approved methods.
	To help your kids get better grades, feed them breakfast: study (HealthDay)—A new study provides more evidence that a good breakfast helps kids do better in school.
	How to prepare your child for surgery (HealthDay)—Parents can do a number of things to prepare their children for surgery, experts say.
	Nasal spray may give diabetics faster treatment for low blood sugar (HealthDay)—A new nasal spray might make rescue care easier for diabetics who are woozy or even unconscious due to severe low blood sugar, a new clinical trial suggests.
	Ultrasound findings in invasive breast CA link to histopathology (HealthDay)—Histopathologic patterns and biomarkers for invasive breast cancer correlate with differences in findings on sonographic (US) imaging, according to a study published in the January issue of the Journal of Clinical Ultrasound.
	Digital imaging-based screening can cut ROP exams (HealthDay)—Digital imaging-based retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) detection strategies can reduce the number of ROP examinations per infant, according to a study published online Dec. 15 in Pediatrics.
	Many patients with diagnosed OSA not receiving treatment (HealthDay)—Many patients with diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are not being treated, with only 42 percent reporting adherence to positive airway pressure (PAP) treatment, according to research published in the November issue of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.
A compassionate approach leads to more help and less punishment Seeing a child steal a toy from a fellow playmate. Watching a stranger cut in line at the grocery store. When we witness something unjust, our emotions often shape our behavior both toward the person wronged and the wrongdoer.
HIV identified as leading risk factor for stroke in young African adults HIV infection is the leading risk factor for stroke in young African adults, a new study by the University of Liverpool's Institute of Infection and Global Health has found.
Overdose deaths in US hit record high More people died of drug overdoses last year in the United States than ever before, largely due to disturbing increases in prescription painkillers and heroin use, health authorities said Friday.
Actions needed to curb leading causes of death A large amount of death and disability could be avoided in New Zealand if a handful of proven prevention and treatment strategies were put in place.
Australia welcomes plain cigarette packaging 'win' An Australian law requiring cigarettes to be sold in plain packaging has received a boost after an international tribunal said it would not hear a tobacco company's legal challenge.
Judge to hear arguments over anti-abortion group recordings A federal judge is set to hear arguments Friday over whether to continue blocking an anti-abortion group from releasing recordings that it secretly gathered at annual meetings of the National Abortion Federation, an abortion providers' association.
Tapeworm vaccine gets US $200,000 funding boost Professor Marshall Lightowlers, from the Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, is the principal investigator for a US$200,000 (A$272,000) grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for his work on a Taenia solium vaccine.
Staying healthy while getting older A 70-year old is crossing the street when suddenly, as if from nowhere, a car sounds its horn. It has come to a stop just a metres away - no harm has been done. The 70-year old did not see the car until then. These are the kinds of mishaps that some older people are unable to explain and which lead them to think that something might be wrong with them. This leaves them feeling uneasy or scared.
	New research maps brain connections that regulate homeostasis New visualization evidence from a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study of the human brain demonstrated previously unidentified structural connections between the brainstem and the forebrain. Specifically, the investigators found neuroanatomic connections between the brainstem regions involved in autonomic and cardiorespiratory function and forebrain regions involved in homeostatic control. This research supports the concept that together these brain regions form an integrated central homeostatic network in the brain, as described in Brain Connectivity.

Biology news

	The case of the sticky protein Proteins are like a body's in-house Lego set. These large, complex molecules are made up of building blocks called amino acids. Most of the time, proteins fold correctly, but sometimes they can misfold. This misfolding causes the proteins to get sticky, and that can promote clumping, or aggregation, which is the hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
	'Darwin's puddle' shows how new species can emerge without geographic separation Cichlid fish from a tiny volcanic crater lake in Africa have been caught in the act of sympatric speciation, whereby a new species evolves when there is no geographic barrier to physically separate the new species from the old. The study, led by the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and co-authored by the University of Bristol, is published today in Science.
	Mother controls embryo's gene activity Frog embryos do not fully control which genes they can turn on or off in the beginning of their development – but their mother does, through specific proteins in the egg cell. Molecular developmental biologists at Radboud University publish these results in Nature Communications on December 18.
Is evolution more intelligent than we thought? Evolution may be more intelligent than we thought, according to a University of Southampton professor.
	Interaction between Varroa destructor and imidacloprid reduces flight capacity of honeybees Parasitic mites Varroa destructor together with the pesticide imidacloprid hamper bees in their search for pollen. The pesticide and the bee parasite reduce the honeybees' flight capacity, causing bee colonies to weaken and possibly even collapse. This was concluded by researchers from Wageningen University & Research Centre in their article in Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
	Watching the ribosome at work A new statistical method could help to clarify the function of unknown genes. A research team under Uwe Ohler of the Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology (BIMSB) at the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) has adapted and tested a filter method from speech signal processing that makes sequencing data more interpretable. "We can use this to watch the ribosome at work," says Ohler.
	Superbug colony behaviors revealed in time lapse video A well-known 'superbug' which was thought to have been a static or non-motile organism has been observed showing signs of active motility by scientists at The Universities of Nottingham and Sheffield.
	Bacteria battle: How one changes appearance, moves away to resist the other Two types of bacteria found in the soil have enabled scientists at Texas A&M AgriLife Research to get the dirt on how resistance to antibiotics develops along with a separate survival strategy.
	Maintaining salt balance helps insects avoid frosty fate: Could assist with pest control For humans, getting chilly is a problem that can usually be solved with a hat and mitts, but for insects it's not so simple. A study led by a York University Postdoctoral Fellow has found that for some insects, the key to cold weather survival is in keeping their salt balance in check, and that finding could help with controlling pests in the future.
	How noise pollution is changing animal behaviour Noise pollution, generally an unintended byproduct of urbanisation, transport and industry, is a key characteristic of human development and population growth. In some cases, it is produced intentionally, for example when seismic surveys are being carried out using powerful airgun arrays to explore and map the seafloor, or active sonar, which uses sound waves to detect objects in the ocean.
	'Lipstick'-wearing males fare better in monkey business If you're looking to impress the ladies this mating season, you need look no further than the cosmetics counter, at least if you're a snub-nosed monkey.
	Is virgin birth possible? Yes (unless you are a mammal) Christmas seems an appropriate time to ask whether it's biologically possible to have a virgin birth. And you may be surprised to hear that it is possible – just not for humans, or any other mammals.
	Nanotech weapon against chronic bacterial infections in hospitals One of the scourges of infections in hospitals—biofilms formed by bacteria that stick to each other on living tissue and medical instruments, making them harder to remove—can be tricked into dispersing with the targeted application of nanoparticles and heat, researchers have found.
	Researcher studies fish populations at world's second largest freshwater lake A University of Wyoming researcher is studying fish populations—and their relationship with local fishing communities—in Africa's largest lake.
Bacterium carrying a cloned Bt-gene could help millions infected with roundworms Intestinal nematodes and roundworms infect more than one billion people worldwide. These parasites lead to malnutrition and developmental problems, especially in children. Unfortunately, resistance to the existing drug treatment is increasing. Now a team of researchers has successfully inserted the gene for a naturally-occurring, insecticidal protein called Bt into a harmless bacterium. This could then be incorporated into dairy products, or used as a probiotic to deliver the protein to the intestines of people afflicted with roundworms. The research is published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, a journal of the American Society for Microbiology.
	Can elephants retain their social bonds in the face of poaching? As highly social animals – like human beings – elephants rely on their bonds to navigate everyday life. Group living helps elephants with the difficult decisions that they make on a regular basis – what to eat, where to go when the water dries up, how to parent.
	Australia 'disappointed' at Japan whaling: Turnbull Australia is "very disappointed" at Tokyo's decision to resume whaling in the Antarctic Ocean, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said Friday as he readied for talks with Japanese premier Shinzo Abe.
	Two tonnes of elephant tusks seized in Vietnam More than two tonnes of elephant tusks, illegally brought into Vietnam from Mozambique have been seized, an official said Friday.
	Choosing for not-genetically modified soy results in higher costs for livestock If the Netherlands together with Germany, France, Poland and Hungary would choose for an opt-out of the use of genetically modified (GM) soy in animal feed, then the current use of soy products in animal feed in these five countries must decrease by 40 to 50 percent to ensure that the demand for non-GM soy from the European Union (EU) does not exceed the available amount on the world market. Mid-term (3 to 5 years) additional costs for the Dutch animal husbandry due to more expensive non-GM soy and alternative protein sources, are estimated at €60 to €100m per year, of which about 80 percent for the poultry sector. The number of animals and productivity of the animals is assumed to be not affected.
	Slovenia's fence on Croatia border threatening wildlife: WWF A razor-wire fence rolled out by Slovenia on Croatia's border to block the path of migrants is seriously threating wildlife in the area, conservation group WWF warned Friday.
	Report: Mexico's monarch butterfly reserve lost 24 acres Studies found that illegal loggers clear-cut at least 24 acres (10 hectares) in the monarch butterflies' wintering grounds in central Mexico this year, a Mexican environmentalist said Friday.

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