Science X Newsletter Monday, Dec 14

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for December 14, 2015:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Year in Review—The most important research of 2015: March
- Best of Last Week—An unusual form of quantum mechanics, biologically powered chip and a drug that stops liver fibrosis
- Hubble reveals diversity of exoplanet atmosphere: Largest ever comparative study solves missing water mystery
- Spintronics, low-energy electricity take a step closer: A new class of topological insulators discovered
- How nanoparticles give electrons away
- Isolating water's impact on vibrations within DNA
- Social media news consumers at higher risk of 'information bubbles,' study says
- Brain study shows there's more than meets the eye when making choices
- Chitchat and small talk could serve an evolutionary need to bond with others
- Humans evolved to get better sleep in less time
- Enhanced rock weathering could counter fossil-fuel emissions and protect our oceans
- Taking antidepressants during pregnancy increases risk of autism by 87 percent
- Mountain growth helped spawn fish diversity in New Zealand
- Genes for age-related cognitive decline found in adult worm neurons
- Simple physical mechanism for assembly and disassembly of structures inside cells

Astronomy & Space news

	Hubble reveals diversity of exoplanet atmosphere: Largest ever comparative study solves missing water mystery Astronomers have used the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope and the NASA Spitzer Space Telescope to study the atmospheres of ten hot, Jupiter-sized exoplanets in detail, the largest number of such planets ever studied. The team was able to discover why some of these worlds seem to have less water than expected—a long-standing mystery. The results are published in Nature.
	Astronomers recall how they discovered source of dazzling December meteor shower known as Geminids The beautiful Geminids meteor shower is due to light up the heavens this weekend, but the source of the enigmatic cosmic display had eluded stargazers for more than 120 years.
	Ride along with Rosetta through the eyes of OSIRIS Rosetta's OSIRIS camera team has launched a new website to showcase their recent images of Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko.
	Japan asteroid probe enters 'target orbit' in space quest A Japanese space probe successfully entered "target orbit" and is on its way to rendezvousing with a far away asteroid, in a quest to study the origin of the solar system, authorities said Monday.
	Saving NASA's STEREO-B—the 189-million-mile road to recovery On Oct. 1, 2014, NASA mission operations lost communication with one of the two spacecraft of the Solar and Terrestrial Relations Observatory, or STEREO, mission, just as the spacecraft was about to orbit around the other side of the sun. Though they haven't heard from the Behind spacecraft, also known as STEREO-B, in over a year, the spacecraft has finally emerged into a region where it can once again receive radio signals. Scientists have a plan to get it back—and their chances only get better with time.
	Planetary influences on young stellar disks A newborn star typically has a disk of gas and dust from which planets develop as the dust grains collide, stick together and grow. Stars older than about five million years lack evidence for these disks, however, suggesting that by this age most of the disk material has either been converted into planets or smaller bodies, accreted onto the star, or dispersed from the system. Transition disks bridge this period in disk evolution: They have not yet been disbursed, and warmed by the star, can be detected at infrared or millimeter wavelengths. Their infrared colors can be used to characterize their properties. They often show inner dust cavities, which astronomers have sometimes interpreted as evidence of the presence of planets that have cleared out their orbits.
	Study finds evidence for more recent clay formation on Mars Recent orbital and rover missions to Mars have turned up ample evidence of clays and other hydrated minerals formed when rocks are altered by the presence of water. Most of that alteration is thought to have happened during the earliest part of Martian history, more than 3.7 billion years ago. But a new study shows that later alteration—within the last 2 billion years or so—may be more common than many scientists had thought.
	A new spin on star-forming galaxies Australian researchers have discovered why some galaxies are "clumpy" rather than spiral in shape—and it appears low spin is to blame.
Russia launches military satellite: ministry Russia on Sunday successfully launched a military satellite from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the defence ministry said in a statement.
	Vega graduates with perfect record Europe's Vega light launcher is entering its commercial life boasting a flawless record and an impressive set of capabilities for a wide range of missions.
	Physicist uses 3D-printing technology to understand how the universe has evolved 3D-printing technology has been used to create everything from iPad stands to guitars to lawnmowers and cars. Now a physicist at the University of California, Riverside is using the technology to understand the universe – its structure, the evolution of cosmic structures within it, and galaxy formation.
	Engineers complete experiment onboard ESA sounding rocket An experiment investigating how metals change from liquid to solid in microgravity has successfully taken place onboard a European Space Agency (ESA) sounding rocket. University College Dublin researchers designed the furnace and made the metal samples used in the XRMON experiment.
	How does the sun produce energy? There is a reason life that Earth is the only place in the solar system where life is known to be able to live and thrive. Granted, scientists believe that there may be microbial or even aquatic life forms living beneath the icy surfaces of Europa and Enceladus, or in the methane lakes on Titan. But for the time being, Earth remains the only place that we know of that has all the right conditions for life to exist.
	Spaceplanes vs reusable rockets – which will win? Launching satellites, spacecraft and people into space is expensive because we only use our launch vehicles once. After delivering their payloads into orbit, our rockets either burn up in the atmosphere or crash into the ocean. Imagine how expensive a transatlantic flight would be if aircraft made only a single flight before being scrapped – this is the situation with the commercial space industry. Rocket fuel accounts for only 1,000th of the total launch cost, with the rest largely accounted for by the one-shot, disposable launch vehicle.
	British astronaut hopes to see new Star Wars movie in space Timothy Peake, the first Briton to represent the European Space Agency aboard the International Space Station, will be away from the planet for six months but looks forward to Earthly pleasures like seeing the new Star Wars movie and having a Christmas pudding.
British astronaut swaps family Christmas for space mission Astronaut Timothy Peake, set to become the first Briton to travel to the International Space Station, said on the eve of his departure that he would look down on Earth at Christmas time and think of his family—hopefully while tucking into some Christmas pudding himself.
	NASA Want Ad: Astronauts needed to help get to Mars Need more office space? How about outer space?
	NASA studies high clouds, Saharan dust from EPIC view From a dusty atmosphere stretching across the Atlantic Ocean to daily views of clouds at sunrise, a new NASA camera keeping a steady eye on the sunlit side of Earth is yielding new insights about our changing planet.

Technology news

	China drives global patent applications to new high China accounted for nearly a third of the world's patent applications last year, once again driving strong global growth, despite a sharp decrease in industrial design filings, the UN said Monday.
	Tech titans pledge $1 bn for artificial intelligence research Several big-name Silicon Valley figures have pledged $1 billion to support a non-profit firm that on Friday said it would focus on the "positive human impact" of artificial intelligence.
	Using ocean plastic, Adidas concept shows shoe rethink In an interesting lemons-to-lemonade development, plastic ocean waste has served as material for a 3D-printed shoe. The makers are Adidas. Together with Parley for the Oceans, a group fighting ocean pollution, the shoe concept was revealed in a well-timed announcement in step with the Paris climate talks.
	Vast desert sun farm to help light up Morocco On the edge of the Sahara desert, engineers make final checks to a sea of metal mirrors turned towards the sun, preparing for the launch of Morocco's first solar power plant.
	Turning poop into plastic at Paris climate talks A small piece of dung was on proud display at global climate-saving talks in Paris, just a few steps away from being transformed into a plastic bottle or fuel for a car.
	Making progress in sheds and attics to rebuild EDSAC In the UK, a group of engineers have been dedicating time in reconstructing the Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator (EDSAC) and its past and present requirements to do so amount to quite a challenge.
	Twitter issues warnings of 'state-sponsored hacking' Twitter has warned some of its users that their accounts on the messaging platform may be the target of "state-sponsored hackers."
	U mad bro? Researchers measure emotion with your mouse clicks Most people can tell if you're angry based on the way you're acting. Professor Jeffrey Jenkins can tell if you're angry by the way you move a computer mouse.
	System converts stereoscopic 3-D video content for use in glasses-less 3-D displays "Glasses-less" 3-D displays now commercially available dispense with the need for cumbersome glasses, but existing 3-D stereoscopic content will not work in these new devices, which project several views of a scene simultaneously. To solve this problem, Disney Research and ETH Zurich have developed a system that can transform stereoscopic content into multiview content in real-time.
	Social media news consumers at higher risk of 'information bubbles,' study says Indiana University researchers have found that people who seek out news and information from social media are at higher risk of becoming trapped in a "collective social bubble" compared to using search engines.
	Samsung asks Supreme Court to throw out $399M judgment In its patent dispute with Apple, Samsung is asking the Supreme Court to take a digital-age look at an issue it last confronted in the horse-and-buggy era.
	Pandora steps up personalization in streaming battle Internet radio giant Pandora on Monday introduced a feature to improve personalization of musical selections as it hopes to prevent potential defections to on-demand sites.
	Data encryption in sharp focus after deadly attacks With renewed focus on how encrypted messages can be used to plot terrorist attacks, President Barack Obama's administration is stepping up pressure on the tech sector to help in the battle.
	Texas A&M to open $6M research center in Israel Texas A&M University has scrapped plans for a $200 million campus in the Israeli city of Nazareth and instead is launching a $6 million marine research center that's expected to contribute to critical projects Israel is pursuing along the Mediterranean Sea.
	Spain wants to retake lead in renewable energy A former global champion of renewable energy, Spain wants to make up the ground it lost during the economic crisis when it reversed its policy slashing subsidies and decimating the sector.
China's Alibaba pays $266M for influential HK newspaper E-commerce company Alibaba is buying Hong Kong's South China Morning Post for 2.06 billion Hong Kong dollars ($266 million), it said Monday, in a deal that's stirred concern the English-language paper's reporting may be softened under new Chinese owners.
	Using algorithms to make a campaign go viral Marketers want to create buzz, but it's not always so easy. For a marketing message to spread like wildfire, not only does it have to reach the target audience, but it also has to be well-timed and well-placed. SThAR, an EPFL spin-off, has developed algorithms that improve the chances of getting it right.
NRL video refs can still make the call even if they're not at the game A new centralised video bunker is set to be introduced to the National Rugby League (NRL) games next season as part of a A$2 million hi-tech overhaul.
	Wind farms—why their carbon footprints matter as much as their locations Seasonal and daily patterns of electricity consumption follow almost identical forms everywhere. Demand is low in the middle of the night when the bulk of humanity is sleeping and it peaks either in the middle of the day when we switch on our air conditions or at night when we turn on our lights.
	New technology could save millions in energy costs A new technology from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore), could help companies and factories cut their energy bills by as much as 10 per cent.
	More telecoms let you watch video without dinging data caps Cellphone and broadband providers are excluding some video from data caps, meaning consumers have more data available for other apps and services.
	US sets drone registration rules, deadline That drone under the Christmas tree? If you are a US resident, you will need to register it by February 19 or face a possible fine.
	12 arrests in Europe for Trojan horse cybercrime The European police agency Europol said Monday it has backed national forces in a two-week crackdown on cybercrime mostly by tech-savvy youngsters, leading to 12 arrests in France, Norway and Romania.
Can technology help with the UK's rising healthcare costs? From diabetes to dementia, from depression to AIDS, large segments of the UK's population are living with conditions that cannot be cured, but must be managed outside of the hospital environment. How technology could transform the future of healthcare will be discussed by Professor Ian Craddock from the University of Bristol at the IEEE World Forum on the Internet of Things (WF-IoT) in Milan, Italy.
Looking for the future of tech We are increasingly joined at the hip to technology. For most of us, it's at its most obvious in that smartphone in our pocket or purse, stringing a live wire between our daily lives and the cloud, coursing through a full menu of apps that connect us to the Internet and to each other.
Uber looks to get commuters out of their personal cars with new fixed route option You hail an Uber for a night out on the town. But to get to work, you're probably still driving a car.
Smaller cities vie to be the next Silicon Valley A tiny light bulb hooked up to a computer lights up, and Antonio Rojas-Rodriguez smiles.
	Apple reportedly will upgrade next-generation Watch in March The Apple rumor mill is churning especially early, with a report saying the company will hold an event in March to unveil the second-generation Apple Watch.
	Fund argues for Yahoo job cuts, ouster of Mayer An investment fund with a stake in Yahoo called Monday for the struggling Internet firm to slash more than 80 percent of its workforce and replace chief executive Marissa Mayer.
	EU lawmakers blast plans to ease diesel pollution limits EU lawmakers on Monday firmly rejected plans by the European Commission to allow diesel car makers to continue to exceed pollution limits.
	Sweden in deal to quiz Assange in London Sweden has reached a preliminary legal agreement with Ecuador that would pave the way for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to be questioned over a rape allegation, the Swedish government said Sunday.
UK Tinder users urged to donate organs US dating app Tinder is teaming up with Britain's National Health Service (NHS) to raise awareness among the young about organ donation, it said Monday.
Microsoft's Cortana now works on Google, Apple phones Microsoft's Cortana is now answering requests on Google- and Apple-powered smartphones.
India draws tech dreamers back home Like many Indian engineers, Ambarish Gupta moved abroad to get his piece of the tech dream.

Medicine & Health news

	Suicide gene therapy kills prostate tumor cells Results from a long-term clinical trial conducted by cancer researchers at Houston Methodist Hospital show that combining radiation treatment with "suicide gene therapy," a technique in which prostate cancer cells are genetically modified so they signal a patient's immune system to attack them, provides a safe and effective one-two punch against the disease.
	Helping others dampens the effects of everyday stress Providing help to friends, acquaintances, and even strangers can mitigate the impact of daily stressors on our emotions and our mental health, according to new research published in Clinical Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science.
	Research traces cause of organ dysfunction in Down syndrome While most Down syndrome research has focused on the brain, a new report by Johns Hopkins University biologists uncovers how the disorder hampers a separate part of the nervous system that plays a key role in health and longevity.
	Altered cell cycle gene activity underlies brain overgrowth in autistic toddlers Further underscoring the prenatal origins of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), researchers at University of California, San Diego School of Medicine describe for the first time how abnormal gene activity in cell cycle networks that are known to control brain cell production may underlie abnormal early brain growth in the disorder.
	Complex "cocktail" in white blood cells has regenerative effect Hendrik Jan Ankersmit's research group at the Clinical Department of Thoracic Surgery of MedUni Vienna has successfully shown that irradiated white blood cells release substances that reduce the severity of the damage caused by a heart attack or stroke and in spinal injuries and have a positive effect upon tissue repair. However, up until now it wasn't known exactly which particular substances were responsible for these beneficial effects. This has now been discovered.
	Olive and sunflower oil on baby skin weakens natural defences Using olive or sunflower oil on new born babies' skin damages the barrier which prevents water loss and blocks allergens and infections, new research led by The University of Manchester has found.
	Genes for age-related cognitive decline found in adult worm neurons Researchers from Princeton University have identified genes important for age-related cognitive declines in memory in adult worm neurons, which had not been studied previously. The research, published in the journal Nature, could eventually point the way toward therapies to extend life and enhance health in aging human populations.
	How multiple sclerosis can be triggered by brain cell death Multiple sclerosis (MS) may be triggered by the death of brain cells that make the insulation around nerve fibers, a surprising new view of the disease reported in a study from Northwestern Medicine and The University of Chicago. And a specially developed nanoparticle prevented MS even after the death of those brain cells, an experiment in the study showed.
	Team uncovers hard-to-detect cancer mutations New research shows that current approaches to genome analysis systematically miss detecting a certain type of complex mutation in cancer patients' tumors. Further, a significant percentage of these complex mutations are found in well-known cancer genes that could be targeted by existing drugs, potentially expanding the number of cancer patients who may benefit.
	Taking antidepressants during pregnancy increases risk of autism by 87 percent Using antidepressants during pregnancy greatly increases the risk of autism, Professor Anick Bérard of the University of Montreal and its affiliated CHU Sainte-Justine children's hospital revealed today. Prof. Bérard, an internationally renowned expert in the fields of pharmaceutical safety during pregnancy, came to her conclusions after reviewing data covering 145,456 pregnancies.
	Kindness, charitable behavior influenced by amygdala, research reveals The amygdala, a small structure at the front end of the brain's temporal lobe, has long been associated with negative behaviors generally, and specifically with fear. But new research from Michael Platt, the James S. Riepe University Professor in the psychology, neuroscience and marketing departments at the University of Pennsylvania, along with Steve Chang from Yale University and collaborators from Duke, shows this collection of nuclei can also influence positive social functions like kindness and what might be called charitable giving in humans.
	Brain study shows there's more than meets the eye when making choices If you're pondering whether to buy a Galaxy smartphone or an iPhone this holiday season, a part of the brain called the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (PFC) might ultimately determine your choice. Results of a new study by Avinash Vaidya and Dr. Lesley Fellows, researchers at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (The Neuro), suggest that this region of the brain plays a critical role in making choices.
	Flu fighting strategies should be tailored to cities and rural areas In the face of a flu epidemic, a one-size fits all vaccine strategy won't be effective, a York University study has found. Instead, strategies need to change significantly depending on the characteristics of each region in Canada and how easily the particular flu strain spreads.
A cultural revolution in the study of the gut microbiome It's estimated that as many as 1,000,000 Americans suffer from inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, which cause mild to severe symptoms that at best can be managed and at worst can lead to life-threatening complications. While abnormal immune responses are largely responsible for these diseases, issues relating to gut microbiome, intestinal epithelial cells, immune components and the gut's rhythmic peristalsis motions can also contribute to and exacerbate symptoms. But until now, scientists have been hard-pressed to develop new therapies for treating IBDs due to their inability to replicate the human gut microenvironment in the laboratory.
	Heart structural gene causes sudden cardiac death in animal model The presence or absence of the CAP2 gene causes sudden cardiac death in mice, according to new research from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. In particular, the absence of the gene interrupts the animal's ability to send electrical signals to the heart to tell it to contract, a condition called cardiac conduction disease. The study was published in Scientific Reports.
	Thyroid cancer patients report poor quality of life despite 'good' diagnosis Thyroid cancer survivors report poor quality of life after diagnosis and treatment compared with other patients who are diagnosed with more lethal cancers, according to new research from the University of Chicago Medicine.
	Who's too old for major treatment? Age not always a barrier Irwin Weiner felt so good after heart surgery a few weeks before turning 90 that he stopped for a pastrami sandwich on the way home from the hospital. Dorothy Lipkin danced after getting a new hip at age 91. And at 94, William Gandin drives himself to the hospital for cancer treatments.
	Cancer cell collaborators smooth the way for cancer cells to metastasize At ASCB 2015, Vanderbilt researchers show how metastasizing tumors use non-cancerous fibroblasts to make a migration highway through surrounding extracellular matrix.
Nurofen feels pain in Australia over misleading claims Drug giant Reckitt Benckiser was Monday ordered to pull some of its popular Nurofen painkiller brands off shelves in Australia after a court ruled they made misleading claims.
Researcher discusses the psychology of terrorism Ronald Schouten is the director of Massachusetts General Hospital's Law and Psychiatry Service and an associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He has been studying the psychology of terrorism since the 9/11 attacks broadened his focus beyond workplace violence. In a conversation with the Gazette, he fielded questions on the attack in San Bernardino, Calif., and the psychology behind both terrorism and the fear it spreads.
	Helicopter parenting at the doctor's office may impact teen health Parents of teens may struggle letting go of the reins when it comes to their children's health checkups, a new national poll suggests.
Coping with stress from others during the holidays For many of us, the holiday season can give rise to extra stress. We may feel the weight of hectic schedules, financial strain and more people crammed into less space. Some may strive for an unrealistic ideal of holiday happiness and feel the stress of falling short. Tragic national and global events may cast a shadow, and we may be unnerved by warnings to exercise caution during this busy travel season.
	Genes that may protect against dementia "Survival of the fittest" is one of the most misunderstood terms in biology. Evoking images of physical prowess, it actually refers to an individual inheriting traits that increase the chances of having fertile offspring, such as brilliant plumage or a high sperm count. But according to an intriguing study published recently in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, for we humans, natural selection may favor grandparents who enjoy what appears to be genetic protection against dementia. The reasoning: maintaining cognition and memory well into old age enables elders to impart their wisdom to and care for their grandchildren, while elders with dementia require care themselves.
	Can dogs help us develop better cancer treatments? Will Eward, DVM, MD, works to find better treatments for a cancer called sarcoma. It makes no difference to him that half of his patients walk on four legs and bark at the doorbell.
	New study links short sleep to distracted secondary eating and drinking A recent cross-sectional study conducted by researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham explored a new pathway between short sleep—less than seven hours—and obesity.
	Are flame retardant chemicals fueling thyroid cancer? Surgeon Julie Ann Sosa, MD, professor of advanced oncologic and GI surgery, is an international authority on thyroid cancer, and right about now her expertise is in great demand. Thyroid cancer is the fastest-increasing cancer in the United States in both men and women. In just three years, the endocrine surgery program that Sosa runs at Duke has grown from one surgeon to four.
	Early childhood exposure to farm animals and pets modifies immunological responses Exposure to farm animals in early childhood modifies the key allergy-related immunological mechanisms, shows a recent study from the University of Eastern Finland. The study provides new insight into the role of dendritic cells and cytokine production in particular.
	New research could help to prevent blockages faced by many long-term catheter users New research could lead to new treatments to prevent blockages and urinary tract infections experienced by many long-term catheter users.
	Colorectal cancer risk varies based on Latino subgroup affiliation In a first study of its kind, USC researchers have found that colorectal cancer risk in Californian Latinos vary widely depending on their country of origin.
	Amoebas reveals how human airway cells rally against cigarette smoke damage Everyone knows that cigarette smoke is bad for your lungs. Just how bad can be seen in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the third leading cause of death in the U.S. Air pollution and other airborne irritants can be a factor but the National Institutes of Health is unequivocal—cigarette smoking is the leading cause of COPD. Despite its prevalence and ongoing research into COPD, there is no cure, current treatments are largely palliative, and new treatment targets are scarce. Now Corrine Kliment and colleagues in Doug Robinson's lab at Johns Hopkins University have found two new targets in a surprising place—amoebas. The researchers will present at ASCB 2015 in San Diego on Monday, December 14.
Brain cancer self-organizes into streams, swirls, and spheres Commonly, we think of cancer as anarchy, a leaderless mob of deranged cells, storming through the body. Pedro Lowenstein, Sebastien Motsch, and colleagues at the University of Michigan and University of Arizona think that cancer is highly organized—self-organized. In brain cancer, the Michigan and Arizona researchers report that glioma cells build tumors by self-organizing into streams,10-20 cells wide, that obey a mathematically predicted pattern for autonomous agents flowing together. These streams drag along slower gliomas, may block entry of immune cells, and swirl around a central axis containing glioma stem cells that feed the tumor's growth. The researchers will present their new work on tumor self-organization on Monday, December 14 at the 2015 Annual Meeting of the American Society for Cell Biology in San Diego, CA.
	Overprescribing of opioids is not limited to a few bad apples, study finds Most prescriptions for opioid painkillers are made by the broad swath of U.S. general practitioners, not by a limited group of specialists, according to a study by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine.
	Analysis of neuronal avalanches reveals spatial temporal roadmap of humans higher cognitive function The word 'avalanche' is generally associated with violent and unexpected events—such as rockslides, or the sudden collapse of unstable drifts of snow. But in brain research, avalanches—intermittent cascades of electrical activity—are everyday occurrences that are not only peaceful, but actually reflect stability.
	Timing of first childbirth influences women's health at age 40 A new study finds some surprising ways in which women's health at midlife is connected to when they had their first child and to their marital history.
	Treating colon cancer with vitamin A A leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, colon cancer is famously resistant to treatment. There are many reasons for this, but one has to do with a group of persisting cancer cells in the colon that cause relapses. Conventional therapies against them are mostly ineffective. EPFL scientists have now identified a biological mechanism that can be exploited to counteract colon cancer relapses. The approach activates a protein that is lost in the persisting cancer cells. The researchers were able to reactivate it using vitamin A, thus eliminating the cancer cells and preventing metastasis. The study is published in Cancer Cell, and introduces a new way to treat colon cancer.
Experimental drugs that change energy supply in cells could slow brain tumor growth Experimental drugs that alter cell metabolism also halted tumor growth and extended survival in mice with cancers linked to changes in the same gene, according to a new study led by researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center, its Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center and Massachusetts General Hospital.
Diagnosing fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: New Canadian guideline Diagnosing fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is important to help children and adults, and their families, who have the disorder. A new Canadian guideline published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal), provides recommendations for diagnosing FASD, specifically for multidisciplinary diagnostic teams.
Liver protein boosts growth of insulin-producing cells More than a quarter of the 30 million people with diabetes in the United States depend on daily injections of insulin to maintain their blood glucose levels in a healthy range. Scientists are investigating many techniques to help treat or potentially even cure many of these patients by increasing the body's own insulin-producing pancreatic "beta" cells. Now researchers at Joslin Diabetes Center have identified a key protein produced in the liver that aids in accelerating the growth of these cells.
Expensive, exploratory research biopsies overused in early studies of new cancer drugs For more than a decade, researchers studying the newest anticancer drugs have taken extra biopsies solely for the purpose of trying to understand the pharmacodynamics—what the drug does to the tumor—of a new anticancer drug. Such biopsies have been incorporated into studies sponsored by both the pharmaceutical industry and the National Cancer Institute. They are often mandatory in government-sponsored phase 1 clinical trials.
	Study shows stroke and TIA patient outcomes best at experienced centers Researchers from Houston Methodist Hospital and five partner institutions used data from a major stroke clinical study to show that medical centers with more experience and expertise in aggressive medical management had a significantly positive impact on patient outcomes. This, according to research published in the Dec. 15, 2015, issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Continuous joint use of estrogen and progestin lowers risk of EC in postmenopausal women Adding continuous progestin to estrogen has been shown to lower the risk of endometrial cancer in postmenopausal women according to a study published December 14 in the JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Altered microbiome burns fewer calories The link between the gut microbiome and obesity seems clear, but just how changes to gut bacteria can cause weight gain is not.
Professor launches web tool to track impact of drugs worldwide Billions of dollars have been spent on developing drugs and supplying them around the world, but which companies' drugs are actually making an impact? The Global Health Impact Index, headed by Binghamton University Associate Professor Nicole Hassoun and highlighted in a new article published Friday in PLOS ONE, addresses this issue by ranking pharmaceutical companies based on their drugs' impact on global health.
Low levels of vitamin D may increase risk of stress fractures in active individuals Vitamin D plays a crucial role in ensuring appropriate bone density. Active individuals who enjoy participating in higher impact activities may need to maintain higher vitamin D levels to reduce their risk of stress fractures, report investigators in The Journal of Foot & Ankle Surgery.
	Emotion processing in the brain changes with tinnitus severity, study says Tinnitus, otherwise known as ringing in the ears, affects nearly one-third of adults over age 65. The condition can develop as part of age-related hearing loss or from a traumatic injury. In either case, the resulting persistent noise causes varying amounts of disruption to everyday life.
Election risk: Elected heads of government win greater risk of early death We see it happen all too often: The youthful visage of a candidate becomes, in a few short years, the grizzled countenance of a head of state. But is this oft-observed rapid aging evidence of a statistically significant health impact of being an elected head of state?
	Bodily changes don't always signal 'precocious' puberty in kids (HealthDay)—Children who develop certain signs of puberty at an early age are commonly referred to specialists for an evaluation. But most of the time it's nothing to worry about, says a new report from a leading group of U.S. pediatricians.
	Abuse of prescription painkillers, stimulants ups sexual risks for teens (HealthDay)—Teens who use abuse prescription drugs such as narcotic painkillers are more likely to have sex or to participate in risky sexual behaviors, a new study suggests.
	Study reports childhood family breakups harder on girls' health A childhood family breakup can have long-term negative consequences for the children. Recent University of Illinois research looks at overall health, depression, and smoking as a health-related behavior and finds that, for girls, all three are worse.
	New method of diagnosing deadly fungal lung infection in leukemia patients discovered A team of researchers have discovered a new way for early detection of a potentially deadly fungal infection in patients with suppressed immune systems such as those being treated for leukemia or have had an organ transplant.
Children's ability to detect sugar varies widely Everyone knows that children love sweets, but ever wonder why some kids seem to want more sugary food than others? It could be because they need more sugar to get that same sweet taste. According to new research from the Monell Center, sensitivity to sweet taste varies widely across school-aged children and is in part genetically-determined. The findings may inform efforts to reduce sugar consumption and improve nutritional health of children.
Medication protects fertility and defense system during chemotherapy While targeted cancer treatments have reduced side effects and improved efficacy, chemotherapy remains the backbone of combination therapies for many forms of cancer. Unfortunately, cancer patients may suffer from several side effects from chemotherapy, including infertility and a weakened defense system that makes them susceptible to life-threatening infections.
Scientists uncover process that could drive the majority of cancers The gene p53 has been described as the "guardian of the genome" due to its prominent role in preventing genetic mutations. More than half of all cancers are thought to originate from p53 mutations or loss of function, and now a recent study by VCU Massey Cancer Center scientist Richard Moran, Ph.D., explains why.
	Medial, not lateral, femorotibial cartilage change predictive of OA (HealthDay)—For patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA), cartilage thickness change is associated with radiographic and pain progression, according to a study published in the December issue of Arthritis & Rheumatology.
	Hepatitis E virus rare among HIV-infected population (HealthDay)—The prevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) is low in HIV-infected (HIV+) women and men, according to a study published online Dec. 8 in Hepatology.
	CYP2C19 polymorphisms impacts citalopram metabolism (HealthDay)—For patients with major depressive disorder, certain CYP2C19 polymorphisms contribute to citalopram (CIT) metabolism, according to research published in the December issue of the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics.
	Interaction described between acenocoumarol, levofloxacin (HealthDay)—More frequent monitoring may be required when patients are taking both acenocoumarol and levofloxacin due to the possibility of an adverse interaction, according to a case report published in the December issue of the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics.
	America's rural elderly face barriers to health care (HealthDay)—Elderly Americans who live in rural areas are at increased risk for health problems and death because of poor access to health care, a new study finds.
	Burnout affects about one in three gynecologic oncologists (HealthDay)—About one-third of gynecologic oncologists experience burnout, according to a study published in the December issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
	Program that helps children cope after disasters could benefit refugees, at-risk youth A social and emotional skills intervention developed to help children recover from the trauma of natural disasters is being adapted to help young Syrian refugees heal their psychological wounds.
	Gut damage identified as cause of vaccine failure, malnutrition It has been estimated that if every nutritional measure known to be helpful were applied to every child in the world, global malnutrition would be decreased by only a third. New research from the University of Virginia School of Medicine, the University of Vermont and the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research in Bangladesh sheds light on why: Damage to the gut from infection explains why food alone is not a solution to malnutrition. To be effective, nutritional therapy will need to include measures to prevent or treat the damage to the gut of infants.
More doctors fail to land residency positions after school Doctors wanting to practice medicine in the U.S. cannot start treating patients on their own immediately after medical school. They typically must go through a residency program that provides additional training under the supervision of experienced physicians.
Babies, mothers possibly exposed to TB at Calif. hospital A Northern California hospital says hundreds of babies, mothers and employees may have been exposed to a nurse with tuberculosis and that the infants will need an antibiotic treatment.
Cancer rates decline in many high-income countries, but rise in lower-income countries Improved screening and detection efforts, combined with decreases in risk factors like smoking, have reduced the incidence and mortality rates from several common types of cancer in many high-income countries. However, many low-and middle-income countries have seen cancer rates rise, partially due to increases in risk factors that are typical of Western countries.
'Grandma's magic remedy:' Mexico's medical marijuana secret When her legs ache, this Mexican grandmother rubs them with marijuana-infused alcohol. She is well aware the homemade remedy defies the country's cannabis ban, but her family has used the concoction to treat ailments since she was a child, handing it down the generations.
	Crunch time again for health law; Tuesday sign-up deadline Rising premiums and shaken faith among insurers have cast a cloud over sign-up season for President Barack Obama's health care law, and now it's crunch time again.
AstraZeneca says in talks with Acerta Pharma British phamaceuticals giant AstraZeneca revealed Monday that it was in discussions over a deal with cancer drug maker Acerta Pharma.
The heat is on – how to survive a long, hot El Nino summer Keep an eye on children's water intake, carry a water bottle wherever you go and avoid travel in the hottest part of the day – that's the advice of QUT health statistician Associate Professor Adrian Barnett as we move into an El Niño weather pattern predicted to be the strongest yet.
Down syndrome research gets a boost with new biobank initiative Nationwide Children's Hospital and research advocacy group DownSyndrome Achieves have joined forces to create the first biobank in the country dedicated to collecting and managing blood samples from people with Down syndrome.
	EORTC-ETOP study opens on pembrolizumab for patients with early stage NSCLC cancer Lung Cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths world-wide. In 2012, there were an estimated 313,000 new cases in Europe and 1,825,000 worldwide, and, alarmingly, there were 268,000 estimated deaths in Europe and 1,590,000 deaths worldwide.
Physician-assisted death should be listed on medical certificates of death in Canada Physician-assisted death should be recorded on medical certificates of death in Canada in the event that assisted dying becomes legal, according to an analysis in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
Puerto Rico's community health centers face bleak future An  extraordinary need for publicly subsidized health services amidst an unprecedented economic crisis is putting Puerto Rico's federally funded community health centers in jeopardy, according to a new report.
RNs more likely to identify high-risk medication discrepancies Nearly 66 percent of all adverse events experienced by nursing home residents, such as falls, delirium and hallucinations, could be prevented, in part, by monitoring medication more closely. In nursing homes, both registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) perform medication reconciliation, a safety practice during which health care professionals review patients' medications to reduce the likelihood of preventable adverse drug events. Now, researchers at the University of Missouri have found that RNs are more likely than LPNs to identify high-risk medication discrepancies, suggesting RNs are better equipped to assess and identify medication errors that could pose risks to residents' safety. The findings suggest the need to distinguish differences in responsibilities for RNs and LPNs in nursing homes, the researchers say.
	Down to the wire on Obamacare sign-ups (HealthDay)—Health officials are urging Americans considering an Obamacare health plan for 2016 to act quickly to snag coverage and avoid rising penalties for remaining uninsured.
GSA releases most comprehensive textbook on basic biology of aging to date A new e-book published by The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) provides a primary resource for detailed overviews of the aging process across multiple organisms—from microbes to humans. This seminal publication, "Molecular and Cellular Biology of Aging," is intended as a textbook for emerging scholars of all levels.
Learning on the job: Johns Hopkins Medicine Alliance for Patients Academic medical centers that take on community partners to form accountable care organizations face a number of unexpected challenges, says Scott Berkowitz, M.D., M.B.A., medical director of accountable care for the Office of Johns Hopkins Physicians and executive director of the Johns Hopkins Medicine accountable care organization (ACO) known as the Johns Hopkins Medicine Alliance for Patients (JMAP).

Biology news

	A metabolic pathway in cyanobacteria could yield better biofuels and bioproducts from photosynthesis Scientists from the Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have discovered that a metabolic pathway previously only suggested to be functional in photosynthetic organisms is actually a major pathway and can enable efficient conversion of carbon dioxide to organic compounds.
Stunning diversity of gut bacteria uncovered by new approach to gene sequencing A collaboration between computer scientists and geneticists at Stanford University has produced a novel technique for mapping the diversity of bacteria living in the human gut.
Researchers create cellular 'ORACLs' to aid drug discovery A team of researchers at UC San Francisco has devised a new approach for early stage drug discovery that uses techniques from the world of computer vision in combination with a powerful new tool: a lineage of genetically modified cancer cells in a dish that change their appearance when treated with drugs targeting common disease pathways.
	Headbanging Aussie bee takes a heavy metal approach to pollination Research has for the first time revealed the heavy metal secret behind an Australian bee's unique approach to pollination: high-speed headbanging.
	Small fish species evolved rapidly following 1964 Alaska earthquake Evolution is usually thought of as occurring over long time periods, but it also can happen quickly. Consider a tiny fish whose transformation after the 1964 Alaskan earthquake was uncovered by University of Oregon scientists and their University of Alaska collaborators.
	Sea lions exposed to algal toxin show impaired spatial memory California sea lions exposed to the algal toxin domoic acid can suffer brain damage that leads to significant deficits in spatial memory, according to a study to be published in the Dec. 18 issue of Science. The new findings suggest that chronic exposure to the toxin, produced by naturally occurring marine algae, causes impairments that are likely to affect sea lions' ability to navigate in their ocean habitat and survive in the wild.
	Scientists say face mites evolved alongside humans since the dawn of human origins Scientists have discovered a universal human truth about our bodies: they all, without exception, have mites. A landmark new study, led by scientists at Bowdoin and the California Academy of Sciences, explores the fascinating, little-known natural history of the face mite species Demodex folliculorum, using genetic testing to link the microscopic animal's evolution to our own ever-evolving human story. By zooming in on a type of genetic material (called mitochondrial DNA) in mite samples from around the world, scientists discovered that different human populations have different mites, that those mites follow families through generations, and that they are not casually transferred between humans.
	Sweet and sticky: Bacteria use sugars to bind to human cells A team at Griffith University's Institute for Glycomics has made a scientific discovery that will change the way scientists explore vaccine development and drug discovery for infectious diseases.
	Humans evolved to get better sleep in less time Insomniacs take heart: Humans get by on significantly less sleep than our closest animal relatives. The secret, according to a new study, is that our sleep is more efficient.
New method prevents premature halt in protein synthesis in certain genetic illnesses Improperly formed proteins can cause a host of serious illnesses, from muscular dystrophy to cystic fibrosis. A question of enormous import in research, beyond the challenge of determining how malformed proteins contribute to specific disease processes, is figuring out ways to prevent or reduce the pathologies they cause.
	Cell memory loss enables the production of stem cells They say we can't escape our past—no matter how much we change, we still have the memory of what came before; the same can be said of our cells.
	Chitchat and small talk could serve an evolutionary need to bond with others We think of chitchat and small talk as the things people say to pass the time or kill an awkward silence. New research suggests, however, that these idle conversations could be a social-bonding tool passed down from primates.
	'Trap and haul' program suggested to save endangered sawfish The Kimberley's Fitzroy River seems to be the world's capital for the iconic freshwater sawfish (Pristis pristis) whose distinctive "saws" adorn many a study wall and trophy cabinet.
	Ancient and modern skills unite to count Kimberley "mermaids" Aboriginal rangers have joined forces with scientists to determine for the first time the distribution and abundance of dugongs (Dugong dugon) that inhabit the Kimberley's remote waters and act as a food source for indigenous people.
	Soil provides new microbial sources for natural products The role of the soil as a treasure trove of new, useful, natural products is again confirmed by the discovery of as yet unknown genes in Lysobacter bacteria. Research conducted by Wageningen UR and NIOO shows that these genes or gene clusters probably code for currently unknown antimicrobial substances.
	Dam good research on invasive beavers in Patagonia For three years, Duke student Alejandro Pietrek has bravely grappled with some unusual marauders of the forests and steppes of Patagonia: invasive beavers. A biology graduate student, Pietrek recently presented his dissertation on the "Demography of invasive beavers in the heterogeneous landscapes of Patagonia." Pietrek has studied over two dozen colonies of beavers in order to answer three questions:
	Tramp ant caught globetrotting under false name A century-old mystery surrounding the origin of an invasive ant species was recently solved by an international team of scientists. Since 1893, when it was first discovered as an invasive species in the Canary Islands, entomologists have been debating where this mystery species came from. While some insisted on the Mediterranean, some proposed Arabia and others argued for Africa. The correct answer? Asia.
	Rapid Arctic warming drives shifts in marine mammals, new research shows New hydrophone surveys of migration gateways to the Arctic show that recent extremes in sea ice loss has opened new waters to humpback and fin whales that once ranged through the far north only in summer. And as climate change drives the ice into further retreat, such "summer" species may begin competing with bowhead whales that once had the habitat to themselves, according to research presented at the Society of Marine Mammalogy's Biennial Conference in San Francisco this week.
	Researchers find that Australian and New Zealand little penguins are distinct species A team of researchers from New Zealand's University of Otago and the University of Tasmania has discovered that Australian and New Zealand little penguins represent two distinct species, rather than one.
	Optimal conditions for forcing cut pineapple lily The authors of a new study say that bringing new types of cut flowers to market is good for consumers and the floral industry. Alicain Carlson and John Dole published a study in the October 2015 issue of HortTechnology that can help pineapple lilies gain favor with cut flower growers, and may spark interest among floral consumers.
	Bycatch threatens marine mammals, but new protections hold promise for Mexican vaquita Gillnetting around the world is ensnaring hundreds of thousands of small cetaceans every year, threatening several species of dolphins and porpoises with extinction, according to research presented at the Society of Marine Mammalogy's 21st biennial conference in San Francisco this week.
	Extending the growing season for baby-leaf salad greens Ready-to-eat salad mixes have experienced a tremendous increase in popularity and sales over the last 20 years. A study in HortScience reports that supermarket sales of the produce increased from $197 million in 1993 to $2.7 billion in 2008 in the U.S. Looking for ways to meet consumer demand and extend the production season of popular baby-leaf salad greens in the Pacific Northwest, scientists in Washington evaluated salad cultivars for suitability as spring and fall crops.
Consumers' preferences for foliage plant attributes Researchers used eye-tracking technology and rating-based experiments to determine what affects consumers' likelihood of buying indoor plants. The study in the October issue of HortScience offers new insights into consumer purchasing preferences and includes valuable recommendations for plant producers and retailers.
	Plasticulture system offers alternative for cabbage producers In Florida, a major fresh-market cabbage producing state, cabbage production currently relies on bare ground and subirrigation systems. Because of the large volume of water these systems need for irrigation, finding alternative production methods is a pressing need. Researchers at the University of Florida recently determined that plasticulture systems using drip irrigation can be effective for cabbage production in the state.

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